Talmage Farlow (Schiavo: Jazz Rarities)

Talmage Farlow

USA 1981 | Lorenzo DeStefano | vo | documentaire | 59’

> Best Documentary Nominee, Chicago International Film Festival 1981

Introduction to the film

in English | about 10’

Talmage Farlow was a one-of-a-kind jazz guitar player, who suddenly burst onto the scene in the late 1940s, playing with all the jazz greats of his time, including in a famed trio with Charles Mingus and Red Norvo. Just as suddenly, Tal, as his friends called him, walked out of the limelight in 1958. This documentary, shot on gorgeous 16mm, tries to find out what happened in the 20-odd years since Farlow left the world of jazz.

« Superb. Brilliantly crafted. A remarkable film about a remarkable artist. » (Sight & Sound)

« A revealing glimpse of Mr. Farlow, both as a person and a musician. As much concerned with a philosophy of life as it is with music. » (New York Times)

« One of the most striking portrait documentaries ever made, a classic. » (Jazz Educators Journal)