Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas (2013)
The documentary tracks the diva's difficult progress as she emerges from the tough, testosterone-fuelled world of the big bands of the 30s and 40s, to fill nightclubs and saloons across the US in the 50s and early 60s as a force in her own right. Looking at the lives and careers of six individual singers (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Annie Ross), the film not only talks to those who knew and worked with these queens of jazz, but also to contemporary singers who sit on the shoulders of these trailblazing talents without having to endure the pain and hardship it took for them to make their highly individual voices heard above the prejudice of mid-century America.
Director: Chris Rodley
Genre: Documentary, Music
Runtime: 59 min
Release Date: May 10, 2013
Cast
- Peggy Lee - Self (archive footage)
- Sarah Vaughan - Self (archive footage)
- Nina Simone - Self (archive footage)
- Ella Fitzgerald - Self (archive footage)
- Annie Ross - Self
- Melody Gardot - Self
- Madeleine Peyroux - Self
- Billie Holiday - Self (archive footage)
Editing: Sheryl Sandler
Production: BBC Four
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en
Keywords
jazz, drug addiction, racism
More Films by Director: Chris Rodley
More Films in Genre: Documentary, Music
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas about?
- The documentary tracks the diva's difficult progress as she emerges from the tough, testosterone-fuelled world of the big bands of the 30s and 40s, to fill nightclubs and saloons across the US in the 50s and early 60s as a force in her own right. Looking at the lives and careers of six individual singers (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Annie Ross), the film not only talks to those who knew and worked with these queens of jazz, but also to contemporary singers who sit on the shoulders of these trailblazing talents without having to endure the pain and hardship it took for them to make their highly individual voices heard above the prejudice of mid-century America.
- Who directed Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas?
- Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas was directed by Chris Rodley.
- Who stars in Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas?
- Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas stars Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Ross, Melody Gardot.
- How long is Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas?
- Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas has a runtime of 59m (59 minutes).
- What genre is Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas?
- Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas is a Documentary, Music film.
- Where was Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas produced?
- Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas was produced in United Kingdom.