ANITA O'DAY: THE LIFE OF A JAZZ SINGER
Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden (USA, 2007)
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This is the first, definitive documentary on the life of the legendary Jazz vocalist Anita O' Day. In Anita's own words, we hear the tale of a musical genius who broke race barriers and lived her life boldly, unconventionally, without looking back. In candid interviews with the Filmmakers, Anita gives a poignant and often funny account of her jazz odyssey, that is now well into its seventh decade. With her classic wry wit, Anita speaks with television icons such as Dick Cavett, Bryant Gumble, David Frost and Harry Reasoner to reveal why at 87 she is the last living singer from the Golden Age.

The film showcases rare and never before seen vintage performances and includes interviews from vocalists Annie Ross and Margaret Whiting, Jazz Impresario George Wein, award winning arrangers Bill Holman, Johnny Mandel, Russel Garcia & Buddy Bregman, writer/actor/producer John Cameron Mitchell, Joe Franklin and friends from different times in Anita's life.

This fast paced trip with Anita has pictorial elements of jazz album design and the graphic qualities of the 40's, 50's and 60's. Including original ads, reviews, and numerous never before seen images.

"FOUR CHILES (Highest Rating) A stellar biography... Anita O'Day was singular entertainer. Her music was full of improvisation, and she talked like bebop was her first language. Paul Weideman, Pasatiempo (The Santa Fe New Mexican)

"O' Day's supple, smoky vocals, at times exhilaratingly speedy in bebop phraseology are the heart of this admiring film."
- Dennis Harvey, Variety

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes