In 1939, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, two young émigrés from Berlin, founded the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records in New York. The label dedicated itself exclusively to the recording of American jazz music and developed its own unmistakeable recording style and sound. Blue Note Records discovered and produced an impressive roster of international jazz stars. This included Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk and Quincy Jones. At a time when Afro-American musicians in the USA were discriminated against and ostracised, Blue Note records respected them as artists and equals. Not only did the label value their talents, it also gave them a much-needed platform.

From Executive Producer Wim Wenders, 'It Must Schwing' tells the moving story of two friends, united by a passionate love for jazz, and of their profound belief in equality and freedom for every single human being.

"An unusually lustrous gem.. Celebrates the seminal jazz label Blue Note Records and its founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. As young Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, they identified with black American jazz players living in a segregated society, and they created a company that honored the musicians’ art." - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

"The movie makes a strong case for how Blue Note helped change race relations in the U.S." - Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

Directed by Eric Friedler
United States, 2018
Documentary, Music, Jewish Culture
English
113 minutes