It Must Schwing! - The Blue Note Story

Summary

Documentary film about the history of the legendary American Jazz record label Blue Notes Records. Founded in 1939 by the young Jewish emigrants Alfred Lion (1908-1987) and Frank 'Francis' Wolff (1908-1971), who had fled Germany after the Nazi seizure of power, Blue Note Records was the first record label entirely devoted to black music. Despite the fact that Lion and Wolff were no musicians themselves, they had a genius sense for captivating melodies and sound. "It must schwing!" they legendarily demanded of musicians. The film portrays the two Jazz enthusiasts using historical footage as well as animation. In addition, the film contains many new interviews with musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Quincy Jones.