The Last of the Blue Devils

Ricker's delightful documentary centres on a reunion in their old Musician's Hall of many of the great Kansas City blues and jazzmen as they joke and jam away a joyous time of reminiscence and musical celebration. Ricker skilfully interlaces the proceedings with archive footage of Basie, McShann, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins and many others, in eloquent illustration of the extraordinary influence these Kansas City men were to bring to bear. Simply one of the best musical documentaries ever made.