Blues for Montmartre

Montmartre in Copenhagen was in the 1960's one of the true jazz corners of the world. Many great American musicians played here for months, several stayed for years, and a few are buried in Copenhagen. They settled in Denmark on the run from American racism and the New York drug scene; here they enjoyed being admired for their artistic value instead of being degraded to mere entertainers. And of course the friendly Danish girls were a special attraction for many.
The film consists of archive material with Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Dollar Brand, Lee Konitz, Bud Powell, Albert Ayler, Sonny Boy Williamson and George Lewis - and of course with the famous house-trio Kenny Drew-Niels Henning Ørsted Petersen-Alex Riel. This material is combined with memories from people today remembering Montmartre and telling revealing, funny and moving anecdotes about the musicians playing there. A few of the musicians are still alive, among them Lee Konitz and John Tchicai. The film also includes several of the Danish accompanists for whom it was invaluable to play with the greatest soloists in their early youth.