Filmmaker Fernando Trueba was introduced to Latin jazz in the 1980s, when he was beginning his career as a director, and he has since become a devoted fan of the music. After employing noted jazz artists to score some of his films, Trueba took his love of the music one step further with the documentary Calle 54, in which he gathered together a number of his favorite Latin jazz artists for a series of interviews and performances at the Sony Music recording studios in New York City. The artists
include two pioneering Latin jazz stars, percussionist Tito Puente and horn player Paquito D'Rivera, as well as father-and-son piano duo Bebo Valdes and Chucho Valdes, Gato Barbieri and his tenor sax, the New York-based ensemble Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and veteran pianists Chico O'Farrill and Eliane Elias. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Although it isn't the human-interest story that Buena Vista Social Club was, Fernando Trueba's Calle 54 is the next best thing to that milestone musical documentary.
It is easy to imagine Calle 54 having a long shelf life on home video after its run in theaters. It can be played over and over again with increasing satisfaction.
The DVD of this great Latin Jazz docu is much more than a performance film, with additional footage, expended interviews, and commentary by jazz historians.
A festive experience for those who are willing to embrace Latin jazz, but it doesn't reveal anything beyond a peek at a two hour celluloid concert in session.
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