Film Review-Calle' 54

Film Review: Calle' 54 - A Documentary Film by Fernando Trueba

Lovers of Latin Jazz will not want to miss this fine film on the hybrid that both influenced and was influenced by American jazz beginning in the 1940’s. Not nearly as publicized as the critically acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club, it covers a broader spectrum of the form that includes but is not limited to Cubano music. Where Buena Vista educated the viewer about a music that had not been available to the American listener until a decade ago, Calle' 54 lets us in on a form that is our birthright but is nevertheless inaccessible to us because of its status outside the mainstream.

Trueba has done a comprehensive job of covering this broad topic by selecting the important figures in the music as his subjects. Thankfully, he lets the music do the talking; live performances are rendered in their entirety and without voiceovers. He even makes a device of leaving out the applause in most cases, letting the music resonate with the listener for a moment before moving on to the next profile.

Some of the exquisite moments in the film are a couple of reunion duets between Cuban pianist Bebo’ Valdes and his son Chucho, and another with the elder Valdes and the virtuoso bassist Israel "Cachao" Lopez. Another is octagenarian Chico O’Farill conducting a performance of the Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite, the recording of which he appeared on in 1950 with Machito’s big band. Still another highlight is watching the Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, whose subtle motions at the keyboard are the essence of samba.

It is fitting that the Gonzalez brothers, Jerry (trumpeter and conguero ) and Andy (bassist) of the Fort Apache Band should be featured prominently in this film. The brothers grew up in a Bronx neighborhood that was a veritable melting pot of Latin and Jazz music during their youth. Andy in particular is an authority and proud champion of Latin music and probably the most in-demand bassist on Latin sessions of all kinds.

In addition to those already mentioned, there are concert appearances and more intimate performances by the likes of Tito Puente, Gato Barbieri, Paquito D’Rivera, Michel Camilo, Patato Valdes and many more. The best thing about this film is that there is not one bit of pretense in the entire 105 minutes. This one is purely about the music.

- Richard Mayer