Lightbox Film Center and Ars Nova Partner to Present ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Day’

August 13, 2020

Beginning Aug. 14 and running through Aug. 21, Ars Nova Workshop and Lightbox Film Center will offer a rare opportunity for viewers to stream Jazz on a Summer’s Day—while supporting the former’s efforts to preserve the legacy of jazz and contemporary music.

This screening of the new digital restoration of the film is a timely celebration of this modern musical artform. The impact of COVID-19 on the jazz community has rendered musicians and composers unable to perform publicly and several key figures have lost their lives, including Philadelphia’s own Henry Grimes, who is featured in the film. Through this partnership, Lightbox Film Center will be sharing a portion of the streaming revenue from this special online screening in support of Ars Nova Workshop’s innovative programming.

Regarding the decision to collaborate on this presentation, Lightbox Director and Curator Jesse Pires explained, “I really admire the work Ars Nova does in bringing vibrant, innovative music to Philadelphia. I believe our organizations share a similar vision in that what we are trying to do is expand the framework from which our respective mediums—film and jazz music—are perceived.”

The film itself is an intimate look at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival through the lens of director and celebrated photographer Bert Stern. Well known for contributions to fashion and advertising photography alongside peers such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Mark Shaw, Stern used this turn as director to bear witness to a watershed cultural moment. Indeed, Pires noted that “although the film centers on more conventional jazz, there are some incredible moments that capture the synergy of live musicians in ways few music documentaries have.”

Among the earliest concert films ever made, this work features performances by musical all-stars including Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry, Thelonius Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O’Day and Dinah Washington. The film notably concludes with gospel legend Mahalia Jackson’s midnight rendition of The Lord’s Prayer, a powerful performance that still resonates more than 60 years after the film’s original release.   

 

Visit the Lightbox event page to purchase tickets.

 

Learn more about Lightbox Film Center and upcoming online screenings.