Film Screening: 'Black February' Documentary on Jazz Composer Lawrence D. 'Butch' Morris at The Seattle Public Library Feb. 27
release date: February 20, 2018
Join us for a screening of "Black February," a documentary on the legendary jazz composer Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. After the documentary, stay for a short discussion about Morris and other jazz artists, the celebratory concerts Morris performed, and the impact of jazz on communities.
Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Parking is available in the Central Library garage at the regular rates. The film is 66 minutes long and unrated. Light refreshments will be served.
Vipal Monga's first feature-length documentary chronicles an unprecedented series of concerts performed in February 2005 by the legendary jazz composer Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris.
The concerts were in celebration of the 20th anniversary of "Conduction," Morris' revolutionary technique for live music-making. Morris put on 44 performances in 28 days with 85 musicians pulled from all across New York's music community. These concerts span a full range of musical styles, from big band jazz to funk, from electronic to symphonic works.
The documentary features some of the leading lights of the New York creative-music community, including Henry Threadgill, JD Allen, Brandon Ross, Graham Haynes, Howard Mandel and Greg Tate.
More than a testament to Morris' place as a leading figure in the evolution of jazz or a glimpse into New York City's dynamic musical counterculture, "Black February" is about the creative process and the struggles of all artists trying to distill themselves into their work.