A screening of Eddie Jefferson LIVE in concert from the Jazz Showcase presented by Sembène – The Film & Arts Festival.

World renowned saxophonist Richie Cole will leading the Q&A after the film.

The revered Jazz vocalist Eddie Jefferson, who was born in Pittsburgh 101 years ago, is captured in his last recorded performance at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago on May 6, 1979.  Jefferson is credited as the inventor of vocalese. He is probably most famously associated his best-known song Moody’s Mood for Love.  Vocalese is the art of jazz vocal improvisation over famous instrumental melodies, which are often in the bebop style. 

Richie Cole was a friend, mentee and frequent collaborator with Eddie Jefferson and co-stars in this film. Mr. Cole appears in this documentary and shared the stage with Jefferson up until his untimely death, two days after this film recording, in Detroit, Michigan.

Richie Cole