Description

A behind the scenes glimpse into the lives of Grammy Award winner Tito Puente and some of the greatest Latin musicians of our times! Experience the passion of Latin Jazz. It is a musical journey that captures the heart and soul of an entire culture. It is an innovative tapestry of sound and imagery, styles and rhythms-from samba to pambiche to flamenco. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Not just a Latin jazz film, but an awesome jazz movie!
If you are a fan of Latin jazz, or jazz music in general, you're going to have to make this a mandatory DVD to add to your collection. It is not so much a documentary as it is a showcase for the talent and creativity among Latin jazz musicians. The "documentary" portions are limited to quick glimpses of various musicians talking about their music, what it means to them, or why certain places offer so much inspiration.

But then we get to see the music, full-length performances that are beautifully shot and edited. If you enjoy the overall look of the performances on the "Sessions At West 54th" show, you will enjoy this as each of the liver performances were done in the same NYC studio.

There is so much great music to absorb, from Gato Barbieri's big band, to the late Tito Puente showing us why he was always a showmen right up until the end. Chucho Valdes goes to Cuba and talks about his father raising him with the music as a child. Later on, we see his father Bebo perform with a longtime friend. We then see a meeting between Bebo and Chucho, who haven't seen each other in years. When the perform together, you can see a father who loves his son so much, and a son who is very thankful for what his father has given to him. Eliane Elias is here with her trio, but sadly we don't get to hear her sing (or speak for that matter).

The best section of this DVD is where legendary Cuban conga player Patato plays with a group of musicians in front of two dancers, who proceed to tease each other with the music and their interpretive dance. You can sense the tension in the air through the dance, but in time they eventually get what they both want from each other, and everyone is happy.

"Calle 54" is reminiscent of older music films from the 60's, when artists were presented in this manner years before there was ever such a thing as a music video or pay-per-view concerts. The performances are top notch, and it's impossible not to tap your fingers or dance in your seat. This is the side of jazz Ken Burns' sadly overlooked, but one that is very important in jazz's rich history.

A music lover's dream movie
Director Fernando Trueba's eye for composition and passion for music yield a true sonic and visual feast for music fans. The movie features an awesome collection of the very best Latin Jazz musicians--Chucho Valdez, Michel Camilo, Tito Puente QEPD, among many others--each performing a terrific song with a truly outstanding dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The sound is absolutely gorgeous...as close to listening to a live performance as you will ever get. Included is a spellbinding performance by the sultry Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias that swept me off my feet. A must have for any Jazz or Latin music fan.

Incredible!
This is an incredible film. The music is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and get the DVD and not the VHS, or you will miss all the bonus stuff.
As a cuban musician brought up on this music, I highly recommend it!

Awesome - Simply awesome!
Wow. I heard about this when it was released for a short time in New York City, but never got a chance to see it. Now, I'm not the type that normally goes for "Artsy/Documentary films", but Tito Puente was in it, so when it was released on Pay-per-view shortly after my son was born, I figured I'd watch it while feeding my 4 day old son at Oh-dark-thirty in the morning. ;)

Wow. I was glued to the screen. I considered myself a fan of Latin Jazz and latin music in general, but I've never been treated to a dazzling display of talent such as the one that I saw and heard before my eyes. From the wonderful (And my all-time favorite song) Latin Jazz song 'From Within' performed by Michel Camilo, to the tour-de-force by Bebo Valdés, everything was awesome.

Of course, there are problems that I noticed right off the bat. It seems as if the songs were recorded seperately from the actual performances, so you see the artists perform a few things that you don't hear reflected in the sound (Look at Hilton Ruiz using his elbow on the piano that isn't heard in the music during Tito Puente's 'New Arrival' for example), which takes off a star from my rating.

As long as you come in as a music lover, you'll treasure this. If you're looking for a performance DVD, go elsewhere. Plain and simple. =)

This is for Latin JAZZ Lovers. Not for LATIN MUSIC FANS
I liked the DVD but I can't say I'll watch it again, ever!
It's too slow paced, too much narration. (Bein from the Caribean I didn't care for the spaniard's accent). It just lacked Heat! I honestly fell asleep watching it. Some parts I just pressed fastforward because it was just toooooo boooring!!!! Does not come close to Buena Vista's excitement. But if you like Latin JAZZ, then this is for you. The best part was seing the places where the performers grew up, going from streets in NY to Havana.
Maybe I'll watch it again when I'm 50 and suffering from a bad case of insomnia. ... Read more

Description

From acclaimed Academy Award winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque"), comes a journey of the senses that crosses four continents in search of the heart and soul of Latino culture. Using the worldwide phenomenon of Latino music as its entrée, Trueba seeks out the heroes of this culture and reveals how their music has become a vehicle for protest, storytelling, sexuality, and most of all, the sheer joyful celebration of life.

Turning his film into an innovative tapestry of sound and imagery, Trueba mixes "snapshots" of Latino music's legendary masters (captured in digital video) with intimate in-studio live performances photographed by a battery of five 35 mm cameras and a Steadicam in a style that matches the mood and story of each song.

Among the cultural heroes whose stories and artistry he brings to the fore are: the godfather of Latino music, Tito Puente; cutting edge nuyorican Jerry Gonzáles who mixes his Puerto Rican roots with his New York street experience; Spaniard Chano Domínguez who married the clicking-heel spirit of Flamenco with jazz; barefoot Brazilian pianist Eliane Elías; Chico O'Farrill, a major architect of the Afro-Cuban movement; Cachao, the elder statesman of the acoustic bass brought out of near-obscurity by Andy Garcia; the pianists Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho Valdés, reunited for a live duet; the Argentinean tenor sax Gato Barbieri, Grammy winner for the "Last Tango in Paris" soundtrack; Paquito D'Rivera, heir to Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra and according to Dizzy one of the musicians who plays true Latin Jazz, interpreting the music of all the Americas; Michel Camilo the freewheeling Latin jazz master of the Dominican Republic; rumba authority and Santeria priest Orlando "Puntilla" Ríos; and more.

CALLE 54 will feature performances of new material never before recorded. But the film isn't only about the music, it's about the beats of the heart behind the music and what it inspires in people around the world. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Not just a Latin jazz film, but an awesome jazz movie!
If you are a fan of Latin jazz, or jazz music in general, you're going to have to make this a mandatory DVD to add to your collection. It is not so much a documentary as it is a showcase for the talent and creativity among Latin jazz musicians. The "documentary" portions are limited to quick glimpses of various musicians talking about their music, what it means to them, or why certain places offer so much inspiration.

But then we get to see the music, full-length performances that are beautifully shot and edited. If you enjoy the overall look of the performances on the "Sessions At West 54th" show, you will enjoy this as each of the liver performances were done in the same NYC studio.

There is so much great music to absorb, from Gato Barbieri's big band, to the late Tito Puente showing us why he was always a showmen right up until the end. Chucho Valdes goes to Cuba and talks about his father raising him with the music as a child. Later on, we see his father Bebo perform with a longtime friend. We then see a meeting between Bebo and Chucho, who haven't seen each other in years. When the perform together, you can see a father who loves his son so much, and a son who is very thankful for what his father has given to him. Eliane Elias is here with her trio, but sadly we don't get to hear her sing (or speak for that matter).

The best section of this DVD is where legendary Cuban conga player Patato plays with a group of musicians in front of two dancers, who proceed to tease each other with the music and their interpretive dance. You can sense the tension in the air through the dance, but in time they eventually get what they both want from each other, and everyone is happy.

"Calle 54" is reminiscent of older music films from the 60's, when artists were presented in this manner years before there was ever such a thing as a music video or pay-per-view concerts. The performances are top notch, and it's impossible not to tap your fingers or dance in your seat. This is the side of jazz Ken Burns' sadly overlooked, but one that is very important in jazz's rich history.

A music lover's dream movie
Director Fernando Trueba's eye for composition and passion for music yield a true sonic and visual feast for music fans. The movie features an awesome collection of the very best Latin Jazz musicians--Chucho Valdez, Michel Camilo, Tito Puente QEPD, among many others--each performing a terrific song with a truly outstanding dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The sound is absolutely gorgeous...as close to listening to a live performance as you will ever get. Included is a spellbinding performance by the sultry Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias that swept me off my feet. A must have for any Jazz or Latin music fan.

Incredible!
This is an incredible film. The music is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and get the DVD and not the VHS, or you will miss all the bonus stuff.
As a cuban musician brought up on this music, I highly recommend it!

Awesome - Simply awesome!
Wow. I heard about this when it was released for a short time in New York City, but never got a chance to see it. Now, I'm not the type that normally goes for "Artsy/Documentary films", but Tito Puente was in it, so when it was released on Pay-per-view shortly after my son was born, I figured I'd watch it while feeding my 4 day old son at Oh-dark-thirty in the morning. ;)

Wow. I was glued to the screen. I considered myself a fan of Latin Jazz and latin music in general, but I've never been treated to a dazzling display of talent such as the one that I saw and heard before my eyes. From the wonderful (And my all-time favorite song) Latin Jazz song 'From Within' performed by Michel Camilo, to the tour-de-force by Bebo Valdés, everything was awesome.

Of course, there are problems that I noticed right off the bat. It seems as if the songs were recorded seperately from the actual performances, so you see the artists perform a few things that you don't hear reflected in the sound (Look at Hilton Ruiz using his elbow on the piano that isn't heard in the music during Tito Puente's 'New Arrival' for example), which takes off a star from my rating.

As long as you come in as a music lover, you'll treasure this. If you're looking for a performance DVD, go elsewhere. Plain and simple. =)

This is for Latin JAZZ Lovers. Not for LATIN MUSIC FANS
I liked the DVD but I can't say I'll watch it again, ever!
It's too slow paced, too much narration. (Bein from the Caribean I didn't care for the spaniard's accent). It just lacked Heat! I honestly fell asleep watching it. Some parts I just pressed fastforward because it was just toooooo boooring!!!! Does not come close to Buena Vista's excitement. But if you like Latin JAZZ, then this is for you. The best part was seing the places where the performers grew up, going from streets in NY to Havana.
Maybe I'll watch it again when I'm 50 and suffering from a bad case of insomnia. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Creator of Mambo
A film by Andy Garcia. Israel "Cachao" Lopez was born in Havana Cuba in 1918 into a family of musicians and composers, which now counts over 40 bass players. Cachao, a child prodigy, made his debut with the Havana Philharmonic at age 12, playing bass while standing on a wooden box. In the 1930s he joined the renowned danzon orchestra Antonio Arcaño y Sus Maravillas. He wrote in collaboration with his brother, Orestes, also a member, over 3,000 danzones, producing at times a staggering 25 compositions a week. In 1939 while experimenting with the syncopation of the Cuban danzon, he and Orestes created a danzon titled "Mambo," which led to the foundation of the mambo craze that swept the world. Later, in the 50s, he again revolutionized Cuban and Afro-Cuban music when he gathered the most accomplished musicians of Havana's cabarets and dance halls to record his now legendary Cuban jam sessions known as "descargas" - fusing the free form improvisations of American jazz to Afro-Cuban rhythms. In the summer of 1992 a concert was held in Miami to honor this living legend. This movie and subsequent recording "Cachao Master Sessions, Vol. 1" are inspired by and dedicated to him - "El Maestro" Cachao. 1 hour and 52 minutes. Color. Dolby Stereo. Song titles include: Mambo, Isora Club, Sique A Paquito Si Puedes, Africa Viva, Rapsodia En Azul Descarga Cachao, Lindo Yambú , Maria Cervantes, Pamparana, Descarga A, La Chambelona/ The Lollipop A Gozar Timbero, Musicians include: Cachao - bass Paquito D'Rivera - alto sax Nestor Torres - flute Chocolate Armenteros - trumpet Combo Silva - tenor sax Nelson Gonzales - tres guitar Alfredo Valdes Jr. - piano Jimmy Bosch - trombone Gloria & Emilio Estefan - vocal Guillermo Cabrera Infante - narrator

Superb.....
A must in the video-library of any latinjazz connoisseur ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Not just a Latin jazz film, but an awesome jazz movie!
If you are a fan of Latin jazz, or jazz music in general, you're going to have to make this a mandatory DVD to add to your collection. It is not so much a documentary as it is a showcase for the talent and creativity among Latin jazz musicians. The "documentary" portions are limited to quick glimpses of various musicians talking about their music, what it means to them, or why certain places offer so much inspiration.

But then we get to see the music, full-length performances that are beautifully shot and edited. If you enjoy the overall look of the performances on the "Sessions At West 54th" show, you will enjoy this as each of the liver performances were done in the same NYC studio.

There is so much great music to absorb, from Gato Barbieri's big band, to the late Tito Puente showing us why he was always a showmen right up until the end. Chucho Valdes goes to Cuba and talks about his father raising him with the music as a child. Later on, we see his father Bebo perform with a longtime friend. We then see a meeting between Bebo and Chucho, who haven't seen each other in years. When the perform together, you can see a father who loves his son so much, and a son who is very thankful for what his father has given to him. Eliane Elias is here with her trio, but sadly we don't get to hear her sing (or speak for that matter).

The best section of this DVD is where legendary Cuban conga player Patato plays with a group of musicians in front of two dancers, who proceed to tease each other with the music and their interpretive dance. You can sense the tension in the air through the dance, but in time they eventually get what they both want from each other, and everyone is happy.

"Calle 54" is reminiscent of older music films from the 60's, when artists were presented in this manner years before there was ever such a thing as a music video or pay-per-view concerts. The performances are top notch, and it's impossible not to tap your fingers or dance in your seat. This is the side of jazz Ken Burns' sadly overlooked, but one that is very important in jazz's rich history.

A music lover's dream movie
Director Fernando Trueba's eye for composition and passion for music yield a true sonic and visual feast for music fans. The movie features an awesome collection of the very best Latin Jazz musicians--Chucho Valdez, Michel Camilo, Tito Puente QEPD, among many others--each performing a terrific song with a truly outstanding dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The sound is absolutely gorgeous...as close to listening to a live performance as you will ever get. Included is a spellbinding performance by the sultry Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias that swept me off my feet. A must have for any Jazz or Latin music fan.

Incredible!
This is an incredible film. The music is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and get the DVD and not the VHS, or you will miss all the bonus stuff.
As a cuban musician brought up on this music, I highly recommend it!

Awesome - Simply awesome!
Wow. I heard about this when it was released for a short time in New York City, but never got a chance to see it. Now, I'm not the type that normally goes for "Artsy/Documentary films", but Tito Puente was in it, so when it was released on Pay-per-view shortly after my son was born, I figured I'd watch it while feeding my 4 day old son at Oh-dark-thirty in the morning. ;)

Wow. I was glued to the screen. I considered myself a fan of Latin Jazz and latin music in general, but I've never been treated to a dazzling display of talent such as the one that I saw and heard before my eyes. From the wonderful (And my all-time favorite song) Latin Jazz song 'From Within' performed by Michel Camilo, to the tour-de-force by Bebo Valdés, everything was awesome.

Of course, there are problems that I noticed right off the bat. It seems as if the songs were recorded seperately from the actual performances, so you see the artists perform a few things that you don't hear reflected in the sound (Look at Hilton Ruiz using his elbow on the piano that isn't heard in the music during Tito Puente's 'New Arrival' for example), which takes off a star from my rating.

As long as you come in as a music lover, you'll treasure this. If you're looking for a performance DVD, go elsewhere. Plain and simple. =)

This is for Latin JAZZ Lovers. Not for LATIN MUSIC FANS
I liked the DVD but I can't say I'll watch it again, ever!
It's too slow paced, too much narration. (Bein from the Caribean I didn't care for the spaniard's accent). It just lacked Heat! I honestly fell asleep watching it. Some parts I just pressed fastforward because it was just toooooo boooring!!!! Does not come close to Buena Vista's excitement. But if you like Latin JAZZ, then this is for you. The best part was seing the places where the performers grew up, going from streets in NY to Havana.
Maybe I'll watch it again when I'm 50 and suffering from a bad case of insomnia. ... Read more