| Imagine the Sound | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ron Mann |
| Produced by | Ron Mann Bill Smith |
| Starring | Paul Bley Bill Dixon Archie Shepp Cecil Taylor |
| Cinematography | Robert Fresco |
| Edited by | Sonya Polonsky |
| Release date |
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| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Imagine the Sound is a 1981 Canadian documentary film about the once-controversial genre of free jazz, directed by Ron Mann. It serves as Mann's feature film directorial debut.
Background
Imagine the Sound marks Mann's feature film directorial debut; he made the film while he was still in his early twenties. The film deals with the once-controversial genre of free jazz.
Shot entirely in Toronto, the film features interviews with and musical and dramatic performances by pianist Cecil Taylor, saxophonist Archie Shepp, trumpeter Bill Dixon, and pianist Paul Bley. Bill Smith features as the interviewer of the film's subjects.
Availability
The film has been digitally restored and was released on DVD in 2007.
Reception
Critic and film historian Jonathan Rosenbaum has said that Imagine the Sound “may be the best documentary on free jazz that we have.”
See also
- Toronto New Wave-the film movement Ron Mann was part of in 1980s Canada
- Ornette: Made in America- the 1985 Shirley Clarke documentary film about free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman
- Poetry in Motion-a 1982 documentary film also by Mann
| Films directed by Ron Mann | |
|---|---|
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References
- ^ "IMAGINE THE SOUND | The Clinton Street Theater". cstpdx.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Canadian Film Encyclopedia - Ron Mann". cfe.tiff.net. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Documentary Screening: Imagine The Sound (1981) - Gardiner Museum". www.gardinermuseum.on.ca. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "IMAGINE THE SOUND". Austin Film Society. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- Jazz, All About (20 October 2007). "Paul Bley/Archie Shepp/Bill Dixon/Cecil Taylor: Imagine the Sound article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- "Imagine The Sound". Sphinx Productions. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- "Sphinx Productions". Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
- "KQEK DVD Review: Imagine the Sound (1981)". www.kqek.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- Imagine the Sound (1981) - Film Affinity, retrieved 2021-05-26