July 16, 2019
Following acclaimed theatrical runs in New York and Los Angeles, Mira Film and Eagle Vision have announced a September 6th DVD, Blu-ray, and digital release for the award-winning documentary Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes – directed by Sophie Huber. The feature documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018, has played at over 50 international film festivals, and will continue to roll out to U.S. theaters this summer. Watch the trailer.
BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES – U.S. THEATRICAL SHOWINGS:
Detroit: Cinema Detroit – July 16 (Don Was intro) + July 19-24
Austin: Austin Film Society – July 19-21
Pasadena: Laemmle Playhouse 7 – July 20-21
Washington DC: Avalon Theater – August 7
San Francisco: Roxie Theatre – August 9-11
Nashville: The Belcourt – August 12
Minneapolis: Trylon Cinema – August 14
Albuquerque: Guild Cinema – August 19-22
Phoenix: Film Bar – August 28
See what the critics are saying:
“a smart, exhilarating look at an influential label…This documentary directed by Sophie Huber makes a point right off that Blue Note Records is still very much a thing of the present.”—New York Times Critic’s Pick
“Jazz may be a quintessentially American art form, but it is Europeans who make some of the best jazz documentaries, with the captivating ‘Blue Note Records: Beyond The Notes’ being the latest case in point. Potently directed by Switzerland’s Sophie Huber… Key to making this film especially effective is its focus on the current incarnation of Blue Note.”—Los Angeles Times
“[The] film tells the story of the most legendary label in jazz — and illustrates how it’s still thriving in the present… ‘Beyond the Notes’ lays out exactly what made Blue Note stand apart from other jazz labels — and why its catalog has taken on an almost sacred quality among musicians and fans.”—Rolling Stone
“This damn-near immaculate music documentary by Swiss film-maker Sophie Huber pays tribute to Blue Note Records… Huber crafts a respectful, crisply told but depth-plumbing history of the label… hits nearly every music-doc note with an exceptional clarity of tone.”—The Guardian
“a stylish and engaging new documentary by Sophie Huber”—NPR Music
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One of the most important record labels in the history of jazz—and, by extension, that of American music—Blue Note Records has been home to groundbreaking legends as well as present-day luminaries. Founded in New York in 1939 by German Jewish refugees Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, the history of Blue Note Records goes beyond the landmark recordings, encompassing the pursuit of musical freedom, the conflict between art and commerce and the idea of music as a transformative and revolutionary force. Through rare archival footage, current day recording sessions, and conversations with jazz icons and future legends, Blue Note Records: Beyond The Notes reveals a powerful mission and illuminates the vital connections between jazz and hip hop.
“Blue Note Records is one of America’s most important cultural treasures, as it continues to house bold artists who push the boundaries,” states director Sophie Huber, who is best known for the critically acclaimed Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction. “It is important that this film comes out now, as it touches on topics that continue to be vital in this political climate. The film celebrates the vision and quest of these powerful artists from the past, the present and indeed the future.”
FEATURING:
Ambrose Akinmusire
Michael Cuscuna
Lou Donaldson
Robert Glasper
Herbie Hancock
Derrick Hodge
Norah Jones
Keith Lewis
Lionel Loueke
Terrace Martin
Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Kendrick Scott
Wayne Shorter
Marcus Strickland
Rudy Van Gelder
Don Was
MORE INFORMATION:
www.bluenoterecords-film.com/en/
www.facebook.com/BlueNoteRecordsFilm/
www.instagram.com/bluenoterecordsfilm/
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Other highlights of Blue Note’s 80th Anniversary celebrations include:
- Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series: “Tone Poet” Joe Harley—co-founder and co-producer of the acclaimed Music Matters audiophile vinyl series—is the producer of this series of all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI). The titles were handpicked by Harley and cover lesser-known Blue Note classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note catalog.
- Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series: A series of mid-priced 180g vinyl releases in standard packaging curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman with albums presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The releases will be all-analog whenever an analog source is available with Kevin Gray mastering directly from the original master tapes, and vinyl pressed at Optimal in Germany.
- Blue Note Review: The 2nd edition of our vinyl boxset subscription series Blue Note Review: Volume Two – Spirit & Time is currently available at bluenotereview.com. Curated by Don Was, the set encapsulates the past, present, and future of Blue Note by celebrating the brilliant late-career albums of the legendary Tony Williams with a tribute album by current drummers, as well as audiophile reissues of Africaine by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Patterns by Bobby Hutcherson, the book Spirit & Time: Jazz Drummers On Their Art, the zine Out of the Blue, a set of Topps Blue Note Trading Cards, and a Blue Note carbon fiber anti-static record brush.
- Vinyl Me, Please Anthology: The Story of Blue Note Records: A special partnership with the record club Vinyl Me, Please who presented an exclusive, limited-edition boxset that sold out in under three hours. The Anthology experience included a premium 6-album, 7-LP boxset, a private fan community, and an exclusive podcast series, which took listeners on a 6-week journey into the history and music of jazz’s most legendary label as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.
- Canvas Art Prints of Classic Blue Note Album Covers: A new series of limited-edition wall art that celebrates the iconic imagery of Blue Note’s classic era. Blue Note is offering archival-quality, framed canvas prints in dynamic scale (22”x22”, 32”x32”, 42”x42”) that present the legendary album cover designs of Reid Miles and photography of Francis Wolff. 12 album covers are currently available in the Blue Note Store with additional prints to be made available later this year.
- Blue Note X G-SHOCK G-STEEL Timepiece: Casio G-SHOCK released a limited-edition Blue Note Records G-STEEL men’s watch made in honor of our 80th Anniversary. The unique timepiece nods to both iconic brands by featuring bright blue accents and engravings of the G-SHOCK and Blue Note logos. Watch the video celebrating the new Blue Note X G-SHOCK timepiece starring Blue Note artists Charles Lloyd, Kendrick Scott, and lophiile. The watch is available for purchase at select jewelers, fashion boutiques, the G-SHOCK Soho Store and gshock.com.
- Blue Note 80th Anniversary Tour: This Fall, a triple-bill of current Blue Note artists—Kandace Springs, James Francies, and James Carter—will embark on a U.S. tour of performing arts centers around the country.
- Blue Note Tent at Monterey Jazz Festival: The return of the popular Blue Note Tent at the venerable Monterey Jazz Festival in September will feature anniversary programming including special artist conversations and performances, a screening of Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, and more.
- Blue Note at Sea: The sold-out 2019 Blue Note at Sea sailed to the Caribbean in January with hosts Don Was, Robert Glasper, and Marcus Miller featuring artist performances, conversations on the history of Blue Note, and screenings of Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes. The 2020 sailing is currently on sale and will feature Glasper, Miller, Gregory Porter, Kamasi Washington, Christian McBride, and more.
- Jazz Classics Blue Note Edition on Spotify: Spotify’s dedicated Blue Note Records playlist Jazz Classics Blue Note Edition has expanded to 80 tracks in honor of our 80th anniversary.
- Blue Note 80: The Finest In Jazz Since 1939 on Apple Music: Apple Music is featuring Blue Note 80: The Finest In Jazz Since 1939, an 80-track tour of Blue Note history in honor of our 80th anniversary.
