Fresh
Framed by a memorial concert at San Quentin, where the noted bebop player was incarcerated for many years, this 2014 documentary by N.C. Heikin lays bare the contradictions of his creative life.
Dmitry Samarov, Chicago Reader
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Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
Overview
This soulful documentary illuminates the hell-and- back life of the late, great L.A. alto sax legend Frank Morgan. A prodigy who was acclaimed as the natural heir to his bebop mentor, Charlie Parker, Morgan derailed his career with heroin, which led him into a life of crime. After decades in prison, he made an astonishing comeback, leaving behind recordings of deep, melancholy beauty. Framed by a tribute concert held in San Quentin, where Morgan’s 19-year-old Asian-American protégé, Grace Kelly, performs a heart-stopping version of “Over the Rainbow,” N.C. Heikin’s film is filled with revealing interviews with the colleagues, lovers, family and wives who accompanied Morgan on his long and rocky journey to redemption.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh
The late jazz great is honored with a terrific tribute concert and a respectful documentary.
Joe Leydon, Variety
Fresh
Collectively, the mixed approaches illuminate a complicated man, at once spiritual and temperamental.
Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times
Fresh
Despite a surfeit of talking-head commentary, the film has a strong feel for the emotion behind Frank Morgan's acclaimed bebop.
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
Fresh
It's a fond and forgiving tribute to the man, filled with music that moves beyond happy and sad, and toward something like brilliance.
Ken Jaworowski, New York Times
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