A Sense of Self - Growing Up in Five Points

Story tellers recount the life and community of Five Points between 1920-1960.

 

This project began as a small jazz documentary.  As a musician, I am always captivated by the nostalgia of early days of jazz history.

When two legendary jazz musicians, Purnell Steen and Charles Burrell took me under their wing, I had no idea that they would be launching a new direction and passion in my life.  Eager to preserve many of the stories not accurately portrayed by the fictionalized history of Denver's Five Points, I began a small project in an attempt to preserve some of the lessor known stories.  However, when a leader within the community, Charleszine Nelson requested the "opportunity to tell our own story", this project began a humbling commitment to the individuals of Five Points.

 

The film is what is known as a Linear Ethnography. The intention is to allow the community story tellers to control the content, the narration, of their story.  Traditional documentaries rely heavily upon the Director and Editor to craft the story. Previous productions on Five Points relied heavily upon quick sound bites, photographs, scripted vice over, and ultimately a fictionalized and sensationalized narrative of the community.

 

With a deep desire to honor the community's request, I attended graduate school to earn a Master's Degree in Qualitative Research and Visual Anthropology with the goal of removing my bias and, as much as possible, allow the community to dictate how they wished the story to told, and preserved.  This is their telling of the story.

 

This film looks different from what you have probably come to expect in a documentary.  There is a conscious choice to forgo the use photographs, and music. Anthropologists note that 70% of our understanding is derived from visual cues. By limiting the use of photographs and music, my intention is encourage the community, and the viewer, to communicate clearly.

 

The extended DVD includes a remarkable interview with the late Dr. Vincent Harding sharing his thoughts on the importance of Five Points, and community, in general as well as a montage of photographs from the community.

 

To read more about this project, as well as Qualitative Research and Linear Ethnography, goto:  No Legacy Lost

With Love - Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine, featuring Charles Burrell

Two legendary musicians from Five Points, play the jazz which would have been enjoyed in the clubs between 1920-1960.

 

Purnell Steen and Charles Burrell are the rhythm, and much of the history of Five Points. As a child growing up on "the Point"  Purnell played piano for the Churches and Sunday Tea Party's. His older cousin was already the hardest working bass player in town who always received the call when Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and a list of greats that would fill this page, came into town and need that solid beat.

 

Included in this live concert DVD, is an ethnography as told by Charles Burrell, A Man and His Bass.  Again, the goal, and the difficulty, is to allow the story teller to direct which part of his story he wishes to leave as his legacy.

 

Charles has been called the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music by integrating the Denver, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. What is notable is the incredible discipline that what his true motivation.

 

To read more about this project and watch additional clips,  goto:  No Legacy Lost