Jazz Inspired BBC Short Film "Conversation Piece"
Posted onTuesday, November 2, 2010 at 8:00
James Rocarols, Content Producer for BBC Film Network, brought this short film to my attention recently ~ the concept is interesting and different! Here's a synopsis from the film credits:
The Story ~ One sleepy Sunday morning, Jean notices a chip on a treasured vase. She accuses Maurice, her husband since whenever. He denies it. Employing a variety of tactics, Jean attempts to get to the bottom of the situation.
This unique musical-of-sorts matches every single syllable of dialogue to every single note from jazz cornetist Rex Stewart's 1966 improvised recording "Conversation Piece
".
Produced as part of BBC Film Network's BBC Drama Shorts 2009 commission, in conjunction with Lighthouse Arts & Training and BBC Writersroom.
You can find out more information by clicking this link, Rex Stewart (22 Feb 1907 - 7 Sept 1967), but the following will give you a little background on Mr. Stewart:
Rex StewartRex played cornet for eleven years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He was one of the many musicians that Ellington recruited for having a unique musical style. Several Ellington compositions have solos and passages that were written specifically with Rex's cornet in mind.
After departing from Ellington's band, Rex went on tour through Europe and Australia. Later in life he took residence in New Jersey to run a farm and worked in radio and television. (http://www.harlem.org/people/stewart.html)
So, what did you think about the film? The concept? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you!