Comments on: ‘Sven Klang’s Combo / Sven Klangs kvintett’ (1976) at Barbican Cinema 2

By: Roger Cotterrell

Roger Cotterrell — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:20:58 +0000

It’s excellent that this superb film has been shown in this country again. It is, by far, the best fiction film about jazz I have ever seen, full of insight, pathos, and understanding of the music – both for itself and for its complex relation to modern life. It was shown in the UK on BBC2 TV in January 1987, in the early hours, presumably on the assumption that only a few insomniacs would watch it. But I recorded it and subsequently watched it with pleasure and wonder.

By: Lance .Liddle

Lance .Liddle — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:53:20 +0000

Couldn’t agree more not least as as a (mediocre) sax player who played in similar UK bands I could also identify with the musicians and the gigs particularly the supercilious bass player. But the whole story was one that every gigster of the time could relate to. John L. Walters captures all the nuances that I didn’t always pick up on but I think that we, and the late George Melly, is probably the greatest jazz related movie ever made and the fact that the alto player isn’t miming but blowing some great alto. It’s a must to watch!