If you like jazz, make sure to see the restoration of the documentary JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY, which was shot at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, directed by photographer Bert Stern.

The film features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O’Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition or The Lord’s Prayer by Mahalia Jackson at midnight to usher in Sunday morning.

This classic is considered one of the most extraordinary and possibly the first concert-film ever made. The restoration was funded by the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress in time to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Aside from wonderful music, the documentary is an open window into a time when concerts were enjoyed without cell phones and when both the audience and the performers dressed to the teeth for the occasion. 

JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY is 85 minutes long, in English. A five-day pass can be purchased for $10 from Laemmle Theatres. 

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