Grant Green Movie

**gggomez** · 08-17-2016, 11:36 PM

Screening at Harlem Movie Festival September.

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-18-2016, 09:15 AM

Wow--long overdue! Looking forward to this one.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's too much video footage of Grant himself, just recordings.

(On a side note, a documentary project like this for Joe Pass is LONG OVERDUE as well.)

**AlsoRan** · 08-18-2016, 09:27 AM

Very exciting for me! I read the book.

I see that Sharony Green is not through telling Grant's story.

By the way, you know she is Grant's son's ex-wife, meaning she was his daughter-in-law. I don't think he was alive when Sharony was married his son.

**gmek** · 08-18-2016, 01:53 PM

Looking forward to this, too. Doctor Jeff have you seen the live Paris footage of him playing? I think it's six or seven tunes. His son Grant Green Jr. has it for sale for something stupid, like 6 bucks.

**vinlander** · 08-19-2016, 08:11 AM

Looking forward to it, there might be hope no guns will be involved like Thug Miles and Nina

TH · 08-19-2016, 09:03 AM

I wonder why so much interest is showed to artists after they die. In Monk's last years, he was listed in the NY telephone book; anyone could call him. But he was pretty much a forgotten name- as many great players I see around the NY clubs. But after they're dead, the legends emerge.
In jazz, death is considered a good career move. Especially if you've got a family.

' be nice for him to have felt this appreciation while he was living. I wonder how much footage of him, of the man, will be shared in this film, or if it'll be a documentary "hang" with fellow fans of the legend that you can pay to see.

David

**AlsoRan** · 08-19-2016, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I wonder why so much interest is showed to artists after they die. In Monk's last years, he was listed in the NY telephone book; anyone could call him. But he was pretty much a forgotten name- as many great players I see around the NY clubs. But after they're dead, the legends emerge.
In jazz, death is considered a good career move. Especially if you've got a family.

' be nice for him to have felt this appreciation while he was living. I wonder how much footage of him, of the man, will be shared in this film, or if it'll be a documentary "hang" with fellow fans of the legend that you can pay to see.

David

You make a lot of great points about that point to the irony of life. No wonder the ancient Greeks hypothesized that we were playthings of the gods.

I am not expecting much more from the movie than the book had to offer.

For me, the book was a combination of historical accounts and tidbits about Grant's life that painted a picture of his character.

To be honest, after watching so many videos about so many modern artists on VH-1 and other cable channels, they have become boring and a bit predictable. Grant was portrayed as a flawed human, just like the rest of us, but one that could play the hell out of a guitar, unlike many of us. You also got a good picture of his circumstances and can see where some of his wounds were brought on by society, while others were self-inflicted by choices he made.

As a Grant Green fan, my curiosity about him was satisfied by the book at that time, and I moved on to Pat Martino. These days, I find myself focusing less and less on the artists, and much more on their music, although I never was the "fanboy" type, anyway.

**voxss** · 08-19-2016, 11:08 AM

think everyone knows this video...green takes first solo

**AlsoRan** · 08-19-2016, 08:28 PM

You know something? I always pictured Grant smiling with that million dollar smile when he soloed. In both this video, and the other one from Paris (I think) he looks like he is concentrating intently.

If I did not know any better, I would be wondering about his confidence in himself.

His biography paints him as being so confident.

TH · 08-19-2016, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

You know something? I always pictured Grant smiling with that million dollar smile when he soloed. In both this video, and the other one from Paris (I think) he looks like he is concentrating intently.

If I did not know any better, I would be wondering about his confidence in himself.

His biography paints him as being so confident.

You put a camera in front of someone and they can become very self conscious. You might feel fine with a mic, though there are some who aren't their best in a studio. Put a camera in your face and be aware that someone is documenting this for all eternity, maybe the million dollar smile is for the music and not the lens.
Too, when you're playing in a familiar situation, working band, club you know, an audience that knows you, sidemen you know have your back, know your playing...you can sit back, open up and play your best. Or at least be yourself. You get put on a stage, billed as "THE GIANTS OF JAZZ: GODS OF THE SIX STRINGS!!!" and there's Barney and Kenny putting their best lines for the crowd to judge, there's more than a small awareness of judgement, and weenie show. Whether you acknowledge it or not, these situations can cross the line between the comraderie of late night hang into the realm of production and show. I never liked these "showcases" myself. But be that as it may, there's a lot going on up there on that stage and being in the moment with your inspiration is just one tiny part. Stage and club. Nobody will deny they're different environments.
Anyway, like all of life and the living music, some days you smile; there's something to smile about. Some days the music's not all magic; you hope the audience will smile for you.

David

**voxss** · 08-19-2016, 08:47 PM

i once saw a documentary Clark Gable smiling for the camera rolling.as soon as the camera stopped Gable looked a very worried man...a real Pro..

**smokinguit** · 08-20-2016, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

You know something? I always pictured Grant smiling with that million dollar smile when he soloed. In both this video, and the other one from Paris (I think) he looks like he is concentrating intently.

If I did not know any better, I would be wondering about his confidence in himself.

His biography paints him as being so confident.

I agree. He did look a bit unsure of himself. Looks like he really needed reassurance from the crowd. Burrell was even more focus throughout the video, but I didn't get the same feeling about him.

**voxss** · 08-20-2016, 01:05 PM

check Green after his solo and the crowd clap...3 Giant smiles to them...

**AlsoRan** · 08-20-2016, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by voxss

check Green after his solo and the crowd clap...3 Giant smiles to them...

Yes! Now that was the million dollar smile I was looking for!

**gggomez** · 08-20-2016, 08:13 PM

He is on another level there to my ears. Just has extra dollops of rhythm and soul. Especially rhythm.

**robertoart** · 08-21-2016, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I wonder how much footage of him, of the man, will be shared in this film, or if it'll be a documentary "hang" with fellow fans of the legend that you can pay to see.
David

Sadly, I am fairly certain there will be no music or film of Grant Green in this doco at all. What it is, is the film of all the interviews that were made for the book. Basically the film of the book. However, there were parts of interviews that were not quoted in the book judging by the trailers Ms. Andrews Green has previewed. For instance, there is film of George Benson talking about Grant's picking, which is not mentioned in the book at all. So I'm sure it will expand on some of the content from the book. It doesn't look like Elvin Jones's interview was filmed, which is a shame because he said some exceptional things about GG. Likewise, I wish Kenny Burrell had been interviewed about Grant. I know in the book Andrews Green said many of his old colleagues were reluctant to be interviewed about him, I guess Mr Burrell may have been one of those. Also John Patton and Ben Dixon are missing from the book as well, which is a loss. I know when Lonnie Smith recently toured Australia he did a long interview on the radio where he spoke about Grant Green a whole lot, so he was happy to talk about GG then and some of what he said would have been perfect for the book. It was also good to get the Holy Barbarian cd a few years after the book because that helped to illuminate some of the key early chapters that talk about that club and the people involved. Overall I thought it was a beautiful and very special book. It comes across as naive in some ways, but it isn't. It's a very wisely considered and moving read I feel.

**robertoart** · 08-21-2016, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by morekiller

Looking forward to this, too. Doctor Jeff have you seen the live Paris footage of him playing? I think it's six or seven tunes. His son Grant Green Jr. has it for sale for something stupid, like 6 bucks.

Why isn't this amazing footage being prepared for proper release. There is also an amazing concert from Antibes 72? that may have been filmed as well. There is film of Aretha Franklin from the same night. I can't imagine the camera's weren't rolling for Grant Green as well.

**robertoart** · 08-21-2016, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by gggomez

He is on another level there to my ears. Just has extra dollops of rhythm and soul. Especially rhythm.

Those last few choruses of KB's solo are pretty heavy

**voxss** · 08-21-2016, 01:28 PM

have you seen the live Paris footage of him playing? I think it's six or seven tunes. His son Grant Green Jr. has it for sale for something stupid, like 6 bucks ... WHAT WHERE WHEN i want

**AlsoRan** · 08-21-2016, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by voxss

have you seen the live Paris footage of him playing? I think it's six or seven tunes. His son Grant Green Jr. has it for sale for something stupid, like 6 bucks ... WHAT WHERE WHEN i want

I am on a darn phone so forgive typos. Look up grant green Jr. And Facebook. I think it will get you to the video for sale.

**voxss** · 08-21-2016, 06:06 PM

FROM GREEN Junior.. I'm getting close to my goal of funding the last Grant Green from the 1970s doing a funk set, this is last of only two videos, The 1st one Grant Green Live Paris from 1969 will be on sale for 5.99 and separate audio, this is funding the next video, You can find the Live from Paris full concert footage at payloadz.com keyword Grant Green, This is my favorite clip!..................https://www.facebook.com/20063592679...type=2&theater

**AlsoRan** · 08-21-2016, 09:08 PM

Grant Green Jr. has his own little "million-dollar" smile going as well. Really seems to be having fun.

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-22-2016, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by robertoart

Why isn't this amazing footage being prepared for proper release. There is also an amazing concert from Antibes 72? that may have been filmed as well. There is film of Aretha Franklin from the same night. I can't imagine the camera's weren't rolling for Grant Green as well.

wasn't that antibes 1970? edit: i just checked and at least audio from antibes does still exist.

here's some super-rare stuff. i assume it's from the ronnie scott's gig.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGDIUijmRfE&index=14&list=PLINvK2ShyqTpsvM 9f_EkAq4A55qRRivy9

**robertoart** · 08-22-2016, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by dortmundjazzguitar

wasn't that antibes 1970?

here's some super-rare stuff. i assume it's from the ronnie scott's gig.

Yep 1970, and burnin modal extended improv. Re- these BBC recordings, begs the question -does the film still exist or just audio I wonder? I guess it doesn't otherwise why would the original Guitar Greats video it came out on only feature the one tune we all know?

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-22-2016, 04:51 AM

my guess (not based on facts) is that the bbc video still exists somewhere. there is also some hope that not all rejected BN material was destroyed in the big fire at universal.