Celebrating Altman’s ‘Kansas City’ Music

Robert Altman’s film “Kansas City” was not exactly a box-office success, despite the picture’s gritty look of 1930s authenticity. But Altman is probably right on target when he says, “The music will outlive the movie.”

His “Robert Altman’s Jazz ‘34,” shot concurrently with the film for PBS’ “Great Performances” series--and including a great deal of footage used in the picture--vividly confirms Altman’s praise for the steaming, atmospheric swing sounds that bring the movie to life.

Although it is initially structured as a kind of documentary, with voice-over by Harry Belafonte (who starred in the theatrical “Kansas City” film) and occasional narration by others who recall the era, the heart of the program is a series of numbers performed by an all-star lineup of young musicians.

Among the many who perform prominently are saxophonists Joshua Redman, James Carter, Craig Handy and David “Fathead” Newman Jr., trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianists Gerri Allen and Cyrus Chestnut, drummer Victor Lewis and bassists Christian McBride and Ron Carter.

It’s hard to go wrong with a lineup like that, and there isn’t a single false note in a program of tunes that includes such swing classics as Lester Young’s “Tickle Toe,” Bennie Moten’s “Moten Swing” and Coleman Hawkins’ “Queer Notions.”

In the film, the players were asked to assume impressions of famous players--Redman as Lester Young, Handy as Coleman Hawkins--without necessarily attempting to simulate their styles. It works beautifully. What emerges is a series of performances, both improvised and structured, that bring a startling degree of youthful, contemporary vigor and imagination to the familiar swing styles of the ‘30s. And the presentation is enhanced by the authentic costuming: pinstriped suits, ties, fedoras, and, in Redman’s case, Young’s famous pork-pie hat.

The hour show is filled with musical gems--tenor saxophone encounters between Redman and Carter, and Redman and Handy, stylish piano from Allen as Mary Lou Williams, a gorgeous bass duet between McBride and Ron Carter.

Finally, the sound is superb and accurate. Altman insisted upon filming everything “live” rather than taking the more familiar route of having players pretend to play their instruments to an audio playback. The result is a sense of aliveness and participation that reaches out and pulls the viewer into the music.

First-rate jazz, brilliantly played, visualized and produced.

* “Robert Altman’s Jazz ‘34” airs on “Great Performances” at 9 tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28.