Director: Robert Philipson, Canada, 2016, English, 58 min.
Out of all the cross-cultural encounters in the richness of American popular music, none has been as prominent as that between African Americans and American Jews. This film illuminates that concept by focusing on the early performance history of the jazz standard, Body and Soul. Composed by Jewish composer Johnny Green in 1929, the song was introduced on Broadway by Jewish torch singer Libby Holman and was ushered into the jazz canon by Louis Armstrong the following year. “The film Body and Soul: An American Bridge, captured my heart.” Atlanta Jewish Times. Screening includes a performance by Jill and Rich Switzer.
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Topics: African-American Life, American Jewish Life, Music