11/24/15
Frank Morgan Documentary Film to Open in NYC and L.A.
Saxophonist’s extraordinary life included prison, addiction, successful comeback
By JazzTimes
Theatrical releases have been set for the New York and Los Angeles showings of the documentary Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story. The IFC Center in New York will screen the film December 2-7 and the Laemmle Theater in Santa Monica will be showing the film from December 18-24.The film was directed by NC Heikin and produced by James Egan and author Michael Connelly.
According to a press release, the backstory of the film is as follows: “Michael has been a fan of the late saxophone player, Frank Morgan, for almost three decades. When he sits down to write Harry Bosch, it’s Frank’s sound that inspires his brooding and contemplative detective. Several years ago, Michael met Frank Morgan and the two became friends. It was in the later years of Frank’s life that Michael discovered what an extraordinary life this musician lived—from teenage protégé of Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, to a heroin addict who became quite a successful bank robber to support his habit, to a prisoner at San Quentin for 30 years. Remarkably the wardens there let Frank play his horn—because he was just that good. And upon his release, he picked up just where he left off and staged one of the biggest jazz comebacks in recent history. All of this and some really fantastic jazz music from some of the best contemporary artists today (Ron Carter, Grace Kelly, Mark Gross, George Cables, Delfeayo Marsalis, to name a few) fill this documentary film. For Michael Connelly, it’s simply a tribute to a man whose art has inspired his own.”
Frank Morgan/Veryl Oakland
For more information, visit Frank Morgan film.
A trailer for the film can be seen here.