Directed by Dudley Murphy • 1929 • United States
Starring Duke Ellington, Fredi Washington
Duke Ellington makes his first film appearance in this musical drama, in which he plays a struggling bandleader trying to save his piano from bill collectors alongside dancer Fredi Washington and trumpet player Arthur Whetsol. The Ellington Orchestra plays “The Duke Steps Out,” “Black Beauty,” “Black and Tan Fantasy,” and more in a glittering 1920s Harlem nightclub.
Directed by Leslie M. Roush • 1939 • United States
Starring Artie Shaw, Helen Forrest
One of the most popular jazz bands of the 1930s teaches you the ABCs of swing with performances of Artie Shaw’s theme song, “Nightmare,” and “I Have Eyes,” sung by Helen Forrest.
Directed by Fred Waller • 1935 • United States
Starring Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday
A rising nineteen-year-old singer by the name of Billie Holiday made her screen debut in this musical landmark, which features Duke Ellington and his orchestra performing his symphonic jazz piece “A Rhapsody ...
Directed by Aubrey Scotto • 1932 • United States
Starring Louis Armstrong
A leopard-print-clad Louis Armstrong appears in a dream sequence singing “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You” and “Shine” in this jazz fantasy.
