‘Body and Soul’ reflects synergy between black and Jewish musicians
Few, if any, jazz singers of musicians of the past 90 years have not performed “Body and Soul,” written in 1929 by Jewish composer Johnny Green. In Robert Philipson’s entertaining and eye-opening documentary, “Body and Soul: An American Bridge,” he traces the song’s history, arguing persuasively that over time it became a cultural link between the Jewish and African-American communities.
Tonight at CityPlace, this Florida premiere showing kicks off the 28th annual Donald Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, a threeweek celebration of Jewishthemed movies from around the world.
It is estimated that there have been over 3,000 recordings of “Body and Soul,” from such diverse artists as Billie Holiday, Fanny Brice and Amy Winehouse, in the final recording before her death. The simplicity of the melody and the universality of its lyrics (by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton) have allowed the song to take on the signature sound of so many performers – from the blues to pop to a torch song to its exalted position in the jazz lexicon.
But it is the synergy between black and Jewish musicians that most interests IF YOU GO
“Body and Soul: An American Bridge” When: 7 p.m. today Where: AMC CityPlace 20, 545 Hibiscus St., West Palm Beach
Cost: Film only $18; film and reception $43 Information: Call 877318-0071 filmmaker Philipson. A major section of this 58-minute film is devoted to trumpet great Louis Armstrong, who spent much time in the New Orleans home of a Jewish peddler – Armstrong’s first employer – the man who bought him his first trumpet. Much is made of the similarities between the two outsider communities and the soul they infused in their musical interpretations.
A similar bridge was formed by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, who integrated and elevated his band by hiring young black pianist Teddy Wilson. Their improvisational performances and recordings – including “Body and Soul” – have become legendary for the way the two of them seem to play with a single mind.
Philipson illustrates this crash course in the history of Green’s composition with fascinating archival photos and video clips, and, of course, plenty of music. The film is an apt choice to lead off the festival and further its efforts to reach beyond the Jewish ctommunity for its audience.
Helping to make this opening screening even more of an event will be a live performance by local jazz celebrities Jill and Rich Switzer and a post-film dessert reception.