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Details from stills by Val Wilmer, from the documentary film JAZZ IS OUR RELIGION (John Jeremy, UK, 1971)
JOHN JEREMY
John Jeremy (b.1940) is a British documentary filmmaker and editor who was active professionally for over forty years and earned a distinguished reputation for his jazz documentaries. Starting out as an assistant film editor in the late 1950s, over the following years John worked with luminaries such as Karel Reisz, John Krish, Joseph Losey and Seth Holt. Jeremy's own debut as director was the landmark short Blues Like Showers of Rain (1970), followed by the remarkable cinema-poem Jazz Is Our Religion (1971). John ultimately made eleven internationally recognised jazz documentaries and is one of the minority of filmmakers whose career successfully spanned both cinema and television.
“JAZZ has been part of the film world since the late 1920s but there are no more than a handful of movies where one can truthfully say that this is a Jazz Movie. After viewing John Jeremy's films for two nights the magnitude of his conception only begins to sink in. The music and the musicians are the whole essence of his films. Never before, as far as I know, has the basic philosophy of jazz music been so clearly expounded.” - John Norris, Coda Magazine
Praise for some of the jazz films of John Jeremy:
BLUES LIKE SHOWERS OF RAIN (1970, 30')
The soundtrack is pure poetry... a marvellous documentary – The Observer
A beautifully edited film ... the film is remarkable – The Guardian
JAZZ IS OUR RELIGION (1971, 50')
A brilliant fifty minutes – Into Jazz
This is terrific cinema – The Real Paper
A deeply felt, concentrated lyrical documentary – BBC World Service
BORN TO SWING (1973, 60')
This Basie time-capsule is a gem – Jazz Times
The imprimatur of quality here is the name of John Jeremy – L.A.Times
The film is so valuable, it should be added to your will – Video Review
TO THE COUNT OF BASIE (1978, 60')
The film is exemplary – Monthly Film Bulletin
An intelligent and affectionate portrait - Observer
BILLIE HOLIDAY: The Long Night of Lady Day (1984, 94')
It is as artful and affecting as one of Lady Day's ballads – Philadelphia Enquirer.
The film is the best work of its type ever seen on American TV – Billboard
BEN WEBSTER: The Brute and the Beautiful (1989, 95')
Well directed by John Jeremy, this is a touching portrait – Jazz Times.
A sparkling package; a compelling portrait of the great saxophonist - Downbeat
DJANGO LEGACY (1991, 60')
A beautifully photographed, engrossing film – Downbeat The film reveals just how vital his legacy is – Jazz Express
