WHO KILLED JAZZ (documentary) | Award Winning Short Film | A Must-Watch For Music Lovers

Who Killed Jazz explores the dark side of the jazz music industry. Elite professional jazz musicians confront the harsh truth: why are they living in poverty while club owners and music distributors profit from their art? Have jazz musicians lost touch with their audience, or are they victims of a corrupt and exploitative music business?

A thrilling and provocative music documentary exploring the role women have played in the development of jazz and their experiences working as leaders in a male dominated music industry.

This documentary directed by Ben Makinen dives deep into the challenges faced by musicians, the decline of jazz culture, and the systemic issues that have kept artists trapped in financial struggle while the industry thrives. Discover the untold story of jazz, its impact on music, and the fight for fair treatment in the music world.

One of the musicians featured in the film complains: “Church people are the worst. They will tell you, this what you do (play at churches for free), give your talent to God… But they’re paying the preacher!”

Featuring some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz: Grammy winners The Manhattan Transfer, Dianne Reeves and Endea Owens; Ingrid Jensen; Veronica Swift; Japanese alto saxophonist Erena Terakubo; Tanya Darby; Andromeda Turre; Rudy Van Gelder studio owner Maureen Sickler; Grammy winning hip hop producer Ervin Pope; Rachel Gould (vocalist with Chet Baker); bassist Eric Baines from the band Chicago (Keiko Matsui and Dwight Yokum); Indonesian pianist Nita Aartsen; Native American jazz musicians Julia Keefe, Delbert Anderson and Chantil Dukart.

We Are Here: Women In Jazz is an exploration of feminine and masculine energy in transgenre and transformative improvisation.

Bmakin Film Ltd & Director Ben Makinen Present: WHO KILLED JAZZ (22 min award-winning music documentary)

Reviews:

“Skillfully written, directed, and produced by Ben Makinen, Who Killed Jazz is a comprehensive and fascinating analysis of jazz’s exciting history and how the value of it has changed over the years through the eyes of musicians who have lived and are living through it.” – The Sleepless Critic, Jeanne Denizard

“This brief and colorful film is thought-provoking and well worth seeing!” – Scott Yanow, jazz historian