Some films I stumbled upon while surfing the net
"BABY DODDS NEW ORLEANS DRUMMING" Produced by Barry Martyn Films With: WARREN BABY DODDS (filmed by Bill Russell, Chicago 1953) JOSIAH FRAZIER (filmed by Bill Russell and Barry Martyn, New Orleans 1961) ALFRED WILLIAMS (filmed by Bill Russell and Barry Martyn, New Orleans 1961) ABBEY "CHINEE" FOSTER (filmed by Richard Knowles, New Orleans 1962) MILFORD DOLLIOLE (filmed by Barry Martyn and Emile Martyn, New Orleans 1986)
I made this film with my father Barry, amazing to see its had so many likes. We spent a hot afternoon at Milford's house on Pauger st in New Orleans. He was a kind and gentle man. I remember he was a plasterer/builder by trade and outside his house was a low wall he had built that he had painted pink and then covered in silver glitter. Richard Knowles, my Godfather was present that day too. He shot the Chinee section back in 1962. My father laboured for hours on the Baby Dodds part, trying to get something approaching a sync. I made two other films in the 80's, one on street drummer Cocomo Joe, the other on pianist Sadie Goodson. Both films now property of The Historic New Orleans Collection.I continue to make films for Tulane University, and the Historic New Orleans Collection. If you are interested, both their archives contain many films and recorded interviews on New Orleans music.Many thanks, Emile Martyn
This is the first part of a line-up of live footage samples from the greatest drummers that brought great rhythm joy to everybody's life. It's basically centered on Jazz, but not exclusively, and with a chronological display, wherever it was possible, due to the existence of filmed material. The modern drum set was completed and received the designation of "jazz drums" by the 20's, when the hi-hat pedal system and its pair of cymbals (opposed to each other) was invented. Not only the 'Hi-Hat' name, but also the french designation for that mechanism, "Charleston", also shows a clear reference to the period of the 'roaring twenties', when the drums achieved its actual configuration, and are used in Pop, Rock, Soul, Rhythm'n Blues, Blues, and many musical styles, besides Jazz.