The Last of the First (2004)
The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band during its sunset years: 87-year-old Al Casey, who had worked closely with Fats Waller throughout the 1930s; guitarist Lawrence Lucie, 95 years young, from the bands of Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter and Duke Ellington; saxophonist Bubba Brooks, 79, who was with Bill Doggett; Edwin Swanston, 80, pianist with Louis Armstrong's Orchestra; 91-year-old drummer Johnny Blowers, ex-Bunny Berigan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra; Ivan Rolle, 85, bassist with Jonah Jones; and 88-year-old Laurel Watson, one-time vocalist with Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Baron's cameras record the musicians through their tours and concerts, capturing their joy in performing together. A celebration of the jazz spirit.
Director: Anja Baron
 |
Albert Vollmer as himself |
|
Joey Morant as himself |
|
Bobby Pring as himself |
|
Bubba Brooks as himself |
|
Edwin Swanston as himself |
|
Al Casey as himself |
|
Lawrence Lucie as himself |
|
Alex Layne as himself |
|
John G. Blowers, Jr. as himself |
|
Ivan 'Loco' Rolle as himself |
|
Calvin Lynch as himself |
|
Laurel Watson as herself |
| Crew | Anja Baron | Cinematography |
| Editing | Philip Shane | Editor |
| Production | Anja Baron | Producer |
| Crew | Kate Compel | Cinematography |
| Crew | David Meeker | Thanks |
| Directing | Anja Baron | Director |
| Production | Denise Rosenstein | Associate Producer |
