--- product_id: 28778376 title: "Sun Ra - Cry of Jazz" price: "297.30 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 4 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/28778376-sun-ra-cry-of-jazz store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # Sun Ra - Cry of Jazz **Price:** 297.30 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Sun Ra - Cry of Jazz - **How much does it cost?** 297.30 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/28778376-sun-ra-cry-of-jazz) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Edward O. Blands polemical essay on the politics of music and race filmed in Chicago and finished in 1959. It is a landmark moment in black film, forseeing the civil unrest of subsequent decades. Also featured is the only known footage of of visionary pianist Sun Ra. Review: The historically significant CRY OF JAZZ - Thanks to the efforts of Atavistic, Ed Bland's historically significant film, THE CRY OF JAZZ has finally made it onto DVD. Adapted from Bland's book, THE FRUITS OF THE DEATH OF JAZZ, and produced by the innovative KHBT Productions, THE CRY OF JAZZ is a fascinating analysis of the state of jazz music in the late 1950s and its relationship to African-American life. No other film of the 1950s probes as deeply into the evils of racism and the appropriation of African-American art forms by white jazz musicians. Bland's film is divided into two, alternating segments. The first features dramatic scenes of a racially-mixed party wherein the subject of jazz comes up in conversation. The white individuals are skeptical of one African-American's claim that "jazz is dead." In the alternating sections, a voice-over discusses the foundation of jazz and what makes the art form African-American by nature. The philosophical musings on the "paradox of jazz" are quite thought-provoking: Bland argues that the form of the music (repeating chorus or head) is restraining while improvisation allows for freedom. This paradoxical element of jazz is elaborated on as Bland relates the form/changes to the "suffering, futureless future" for African-Americans while identifying improvisation/solos as the eternal present and hope for change. Here are a few quotes that are representative of the tone and direction of this controversial film: "The jazzman must be constantly creating, otherwise the dehumanizing portrait of him in American life will triumph" "The American Negro produces an oblique musical product and a damaging commentary on the human wastelands of America." "The cry of joy and suffering in jazz is based on the contradiction between freedom and restraint. The feeling of freedom is based on the negro's view of what life in America should be, why the feeling of restraint is based on the actual inhuman situation in which the Negro finds himself." All of the music here is beautifully done by Sun Ra and his Chicago Arkestra of 1958. Although Ra himself is rarely seen in the film, some of the great Arkestra players - like John Gilmore and Julian Priester - are seen up close on the stage. What makes this film historically significant is Bland's overt commentary on blatant racism and his clear condemnation of whites who appropriate jazz music without truly understanding the art form. Review: not so good ... - Oh, that's rough... There are some positives, but the written narration lacks a real understanding of the subject while meaning to sound informed, which makes the film difficult to stomach, especially 60+ years later. The music is great and the original intentions were certainly positive. Two stars for some historical significance, but I can't recommend this film in general; its unprepared stretch to describe jazz has not aged well. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B00012SYSM | | Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | | Best Sellers Rank | #228,336 in Movies & TV ( See Top 100 in Movies & TV ) #1,377 in Contemporary Big Band #1,585 in Avant Garde & Free Jazz (CDs & Vinyl) #7,160 in Music Videos & Concerts (Movies & TV) | | Customer Reviews | 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (8) | | Director | Edward Bland | | Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No | | MPAA rating | NR (Not Rated) | | Media Format | Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC | | Number of discs | 1 | | Product Dimensions | 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces | | Release date | February 10, 2004 | | Run time | 34 minutes | | Studio | Quantum Leap | | Writers | Edward Bland, Eugene Titus, Mark Kennedy, Nelam Hill | ## Product Details - **Contributor:** Edward Bland, Eugene Titus, Mark Kennedy, Nelam Hill - **Format:** Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC - **Genre:** Performance - **Language:** English - **Number Of Discs:** 1 ## Images ![Sun Ra - Cry of Jazz - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/818Czv1EwXL.jpg) ![Sun Ra - Cry of Jazz - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91WwG0L2SzL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The historically significant CRY OF JAZZ *by M***R on January 9, 2005* Thanks to the efforts of Atavistic, Ed Bland's historically significant film, THE CRY OF JAZZ has finally made it onto DVD. Adapted from Bland's book, THE FRUITS OF THE DEATH OF JAZZ, and produced by the innovative KHBT Productions, THE CRY OF JAZZ is a fascinating analysis of the state of jazz music in the late 1950s and its relationship to African-American life. No other film of the 1950s probes as deeply into the evils of racism and the appropriation of African-American art forms by white jazz musicians. Bland's film is divided into two, alternating segments. The first features dramatic scenes of a racially-mixed party wherein the subject of jazz comes up in conversation. The white individuals are skeptical of one African-American's claim that "jazz is dead." In the alternating sections, a voice-over discusses the foundation of jazz and what makes the art form African-American by nature. The philosophical musings on the "paradox of jazz" are quite thought-provoking: Bland argues that the form of the music (repeating chorus or head) is restraining while improvisation allows for freedom. This paradoxical element of jazz is elaborated on as Bland relates the form/changes to the "suffering, futureless future" for African-Americans while identifying improvisation/solos as the eternal present and hope for change. Here are a few quotes that are representative of the tone and direction of this controversial film: "The jazzman must be constantly creating, otherwise the dehumanizing portrait of him in American life will triumph" "The American Negro produces an oblique musical product and a damaging commentary on the human wastelands of America." "The cry of joy and suffering in jazz is based on the contradiction between freedom and restraint. The feeling of freedom is based on the negro's view of what life in America should be, why the feeling of restraint is based on the actual inhuman situation in which the Negro finds himself." All of the music here is beautifully done by Sun Ra and his Chicago Arkestra of 1958. Although Ra himself is rarely seen in the film, some of the great Arkestra players - like John Gilmore and Julian Priester - are seen up close on the stage. What makes this film historically significant is Bland's overt commentary on blatant racism and his clear condemnation of whites who appropriate jazz music without truly understanding the art form. ### ⭐⭐ not so good ... *by T***N on January 20, 2021* Oh, that's rough... There are some positives, but the written narration lacks a real understanding of the subject while meaning to sound informed, which makes the film difficult to stomach, especially 60+ years later. The music is great and the original intentions were certainly positive. Two stars for some historical significance, but I can't recommend this film in general; its unprepared stretch to describe jazz has not aged well. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jazz Raises its Fist *by D***S on June 28, 2006* I first became interested in this film after reading about it in "Film as a Subversive Art" that said it was a "forerunner to black power". That said, yes it is dated but this was a turning point in jazz. Not the "death of jazz" but the birth of free jazz (Ornette and company were just getting warmed up)and Archie Shepp shouting in "Live at the Pan-African Festival", "Jazz is black power!". "The Cry of Jazz" is very much at a point in time, before rock really mattered, when jazz was music to be listened to, not yet music to take up a cause to. My only objection is titling it "Sun Ra-Cry of Jazz" because even though it has footage of Sun Ra, it is not a documentary about Sun Ra or a concert of his performances (though of course footage is shown). Instead it is a documentary about racial oppression and how jazz relates to it, in standing up against it. Of course, our society has progressed beyond that point now and jazz is mostly played sedately for appreciative audiences in expensive nightclubs (with notable exceptions such as Charles Gayle and David S. Ware). To travel back in time and see when jazz was just starting to take up a political cause, "The Cry of Jazz" will be a worthwhile find. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/28778376-sun-ra-cry-of-jazz](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/28778376-sun-ra-cry-of-jazz) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-05-07*