DC Jazz

Bassist Marshall Hawkins was born in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, DC and was an important jazz figure in Washington through the 1970s, playing with Shirley Horn, Roberta Flack, Miles Davis, and Richie Cole, among others. This documentary includes material on his Washington period but focuses on his work with students at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California.

In memory of the saxophonist, who died May 1, 2020. This is an abbreviated half-hour video – there is a one hour version, but unfortunately, it’s not online now. Nevertheless, it gives a great sense of the exuberance of this band, featuring Bruce Forman (g), Bobby Enriquez (p), Marshall Hawkins (b), and Scott Morris (d).

This is a tremendous video documentary on one of the most important of all Washington, DC jazz musicians, Shirley Horn. With relaxed pacing and uncluttered focus, it presents a well-rounded picture of a great artist and features Shirley Horn at her home in Washington, in a Los Angeles studio with orchestra, and in public performances from the Village Vanguard and Lincoln Center in New York, all from 1991.

This excellent documentary film, Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines, was made by Charlie Nairn for the British ATV network (now-defunct). It features a good deal of footage of Earl Hines, both speaking and playing, filmed at Blues Alley in Washington, DC in the spring of 1975.

This installment in the four-part Jazz in America series was filmed at Blues Alley in Washington, DC on March 2, 1981. It’s a nice hour-long set, without any introduction, historical context, or commentary. The band is Roach’s quartet with Cecil Bridgewater (t), Odean Pope (ts), and Calvin Hill (b), all of whom are in top form.