Chick Corea is clearly one of the best jazz musicians of all time. His career spans decades performing with the likes of Miles Davis and with his own groups. Corea has covered all genres of jazz from the 50s onward, especially fusion and, in the last ten years, straight- ahead jazz.
This HD film produced, edited and directed by David Niles, brings Corea to NYC for a series of concerts at the Blue Note, one of the most prestigious jazz clubs in America. It is an opportunity that is not wasted, to capture Corea and his many talented friends doing some of the most important jazz compositions of the last 50 years, covering hard bop and other jazz genres.
Niles does a good job of getting us "up close and personal" with the music and the musicians, using a documentary approach. The HD quality is first-rate. The music takes care of itself.
The only issue I have with Niles' technique, is his apparent lack of understanding how to film musicians. There are moments when, for example, filming the drummer Roy Haynes, we get only a frontal head and shoulder shot during a solo. We see the drum sticks flying around from the audience POV, but never get to see Hanes from behind and the amazing skill he has. I personally don't want to see just a face when the potential to see a musician's hands at work is essential for a film like this.
It reminds me of the classic faux pas in a film like the less than adequate "Staying Alive," sequel to "Saturday Night Fever," where director Sylvester Stallone cuts off the dancers from the waist down in most of the dance scenes. Duh! It's a movie about dancing and we hardly ever see their legs move.
Now David Niles is certainly not that bad, despite his limited experience directing films. But it would behoove Mr. Niles to pick up a few more tips about how to make the most of his skilled cameramen and develop his editing skills.
Still, I rate this film a 10 out of 10 for the music, and an 8 for Niles' direction.
This HD film produced, edited and directed by David Niles, brings Corea to NYC for a series of concerts at the Blue Note, one of the most prestigious jazz clubs in America. It is an opportunity that is not wasted, to capture Corea and his many talented friends doing some of the most important jazz compositions of the last 50 years, covering hard bop and other jazz genres.
Niles does a good job of getting us "up close and personal" with the music and the musicians, using a documentary approach. The HD quality is first-rate. The music takes care of itself.
The only issue I have with Niles' technique, is his apparent lack of understanding how to film musicians. There are moments when, for example, filming the drummer Roy Haynes, we get only a frontal head and shoulder shot during a solo. We see the drum sticks flying around from the audience POV, but never get to see Hanes from behind and the amazing skill he has. I personally don't want to see just a face when the potential to see a musician's hands at work is essential for a film like this.
It reminds me of the classic faux pas in a film like the less than adequate "Staying Alive," sequel to "Saturday Night Fever," where director Sylvester Stallone cuts off the dancers from the waist down in most of the dance scenes. Duh! It's a movie about dancing and we hardly ever see their legs move.
Now David Niles is certainly not that bad, despite his limited experience directing films. But it would behoove Mr. Niles to pick up a few more tips about how to make the most of his skilled cameramen and develop his editing skills.
Still, I rate this film a 10 out of 10 for the music, and an 8 for Niles' direction.
