A heartfelt and memorably tuneful tribute to jazz and jazz musicians, Music for Black Pigeons poses a series of existential questions to a series of influential players about how it feels to play, and what it means to listen.
Directors Jørgen Leth and Andreas Koefoed shot the film over a 14-year period, allowing plenty of time for thought, rumination and reflection, with love for the form always at the very centre.
The filmmakers followed Danish composer Jakob Bro over the years, filming his musical encounters with a selection of acclaimed and eccentric musicians from across different generations and nationalities as they explore their love for jazz (and music in general) and discuss how it feels to get lost in the work.
Sadly women musicians barely feature here – only jazz percussionist Midori Takada features amongst the interviews – but at least the film reflects how the music links all ages and nationalities.
The structure is simple, with Jakob Bro the glue that links the musicians together. The film follows a series of interactions with the composer over the years in recording studios or during performances, allowing time to delve into the lives and thoughts of the musicians…from the pre-Covid years through to post-lockdown.
Some find it useful and easy to explain their relationship to jazz while others ponder and reflect on it. Given that the film was shot over such a long period, it also sadly meant that some performers died during the production period, which makes the film a delightful tribute to them, allowing those still going to express how they are linked to musicians who have gone before and how those who have passed remain part of them and their performances.
The film opens with sax-player Mark Turner in Brooklyn, New York, who is asked what he is looking for in the music. He gives a long thoughtful pause before saying: “In one sense I’m looking for home, looking for centre… I’m not always sure I’m looking for something but I’m always looking for discovery.” This reflects how complex it can be to delve into those existential questions when it comes to playing jazz.
Guitarist Bill Frisell says: “Every day I pick up the instrument and each times it feels like I’m starting at the beginning…what’s before me is as huge as it ever was – and sometimes it is hard to be comfortable with that.”
American Saxaphone-player Lee Konitz features at multiple moments during the film, a playful and often cantankerous man who – as one musician comments – has a playful enthusiasm. He is filmed dancing aged 87 before going on stage, and shows fellow musicians his first saxophone his parents bought him in 1945 for $150. “It is gonna outlive me,” he says. Sadly he was one of the musicians who died during the production process.
Other musicians such as Thomas Morgan, Craig Taborn, Palle Mikkelborg, Jon Christensen, Paul Motian and Joe Lovano all offer insight into their processes. For trumpet player Palle Mikkelborg it is a search for the meaning of life, while Joe Lovano says that when one plays with masters you are playing with those they in turn have played with in the past. “When you have been playing with them they become part of you,” he says, “And you have reached a level of interplay that is almost a spiritual feeling.”
Double-bass player Thomas Morgan admits that: “On the road I don’t practise as I don’t have a bass with me…or at home either. I felt that when I do practise I develop habits that I don’t like as much…you become automatic and I try to avoid that.” When asked how it feels when he plays, he pauses for a long and admits to not being sure he can find the words to explain. Before adding: “ Playing music is so many things…like a meditation that you lose yourself in and at the same time you can be very focussed on some specific thing. It can be a problem solving as you try to see what you can change to restore balance to the music.”
This engaging film follows musicians as they wake and travel and prepare, and films them at their very happiest – or at their saddest as o
ther musicians truly get lost in their music. They are constantly challenging themselves; always happy to appreciate the skills of others and keen to embrace their musical encounters. None are in it for the money but quite simply need to relish their life-affirming musical moments. The film poses some intriguing and complex questions and gets some striking and moving answers by way of reply…but at its soulful heart are the moments when the talking stops and the music takes over.
Denmark, 2022, 92mins
Dirs: Jørgen Leth, Andreas Koefoed
Production: Ánorâk Film Denmark
Producer: Emile Hertling Péronard
Cinematography: Adam Jandrup, Dan Holmberg, Andreas Koefoed
Editor: Adam Nielsen
With: Jakob Bro, Lee Konitz, Thomas Morgan, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Mark Turner, Joe Lovano, Andrew Cyrille, Palle Mikkelborg, Jon Christensen, Manfred Eicher, Midori Takada
