Other archive · 1944–1979 footage

Norman Granz Presents: Improvisation

Various artists

Jacques Muyal’s reconstruction of Norman Granz and Gjon Mili’s extraordinary unfinished film preserves rare images of Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald and their contemporaries. Laser Swing Productions later carried out extensive restoration and 4K upscaling of the archive.

Released by Laser Swing Productions after Jacques Muyal reconstructed Norman Granz and Gjon Mili’s unfinished film from surviving picture and sound elements. Published cuts and expanded editions have different runtimes.

Performance year

1944–1979 footage

Programme runtime

66:54

Released

2004

Preservation

Extensive archival restoration and 4K upscaling by Laser Swing Productions

Collection

Other archive

Availability

Licensing enquiry