Release Date
Original Release
May 2, 2004
1h 28m
The Last of the First (2004)
Overview
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
Department: Acting
Cast
Albert Vollmer
himself
Joey Morant
himself
Bobby Pring
himself
Bubba Brooks
himself
Edwin Swanston
himself
Al Casey
himself
0Lawrence Lucie
himself
Alex Layne
himself
0John G. Blowers, Jr.
himself
Ivan 'Loco' Rolle
himself
0
