The Inspiring Documentary About the Life of the Legendary Jazz Vocalist
“…A masterpiece of the medium, the documentary relates her extraordinary life story as a musician with no softened edges and plenty of extended musical passages.” – LA Weekly
NEW YORK, NY (March xx, 2008) – Palm Pictures has announced the acquisition of ANITA O’DAY The Life Of a Music Legend, the first definitive documentary about the life of the renowned jazz singer who has long been admired for her dynamic sense of rhythm and breathtaking voice. Anita O’Day catapulted into stardom in the 1940’s and remains an international superstar, two years after her passing in 2006. Throughout her life and career, O’Day endured massive successes and even greater hardships, earning the nickname “the Jezebel of Jazz.” Directed by Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden, the film tells the tale of this musical genius who broke racial barriers and lived her life boldly, unconventionally, without looking back. ANITA O’DAY The Life Of a Music Legend is set for a theatrical release in late May followed by a DVD release in early fall. The announcement was made today by Jan Korbelin, managing partner of Palm Pictures. The deal, which encompasses all North American rights (including theatrical and home video distribution rights) was brokered on behalf of Palm Pictures by Ed Arentz and on behalf of the film side by Producer Melissa Davis along with Directors Ian McCrudden and Robbie Cavolina.
“Force of personality and terrific vintage performance clips make a keeper of ‘Anita O’Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer’…”
Variety
ANITA O’DAY: The Life Of a Music Legend was filmed just weeks before her death at age 87. Anita O’Day survived alcoholism, drug addiction, rape and jail time to become a true jazz icon, whose career spanned seven decades and 82 albums. Chronicling her extraordinary life as musical pioneer, the film recounts her unpredictable life story and showcases rare, never before seen performances. The film includes interviews from vocalists Annie Ross and Margaret Whiting, Jazz Impresario George Wein, award winning arrangers, scholars and friends from different times in Anita’s life. There are also rare clips of Anita singing solo and along with Roy Eldridge, Stan Kenton and Louis Armstrong, among others. In the film, Anita gives a poignant and often funny account of her jazz odyssey. With her classic wry wit, Anita speaks with television icons such as Dick Cavett, Bryant Gumble, David Frost and Harry Reasoner to reveal why she was the last living singer from the Golden Age, leaving behind a legacy that few could ever hope to match.
About Palm Pictures Palm Pictures (www.palmpictures.com) is a leader in the converging music, digital media, theatrical and home video markets, emphasizing a compelling slate of music documentaries, arthouse, independent, foreign cinema, and original audio/visual projects. Palm Pictures was started in 1998 by Chris Blackwell, an innovator in the entertainment business who founded Island Records, Island Pictures and Island Outpost, and who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Palm Pictures’ entertainment properties include a film and music division, The Directors Label and Palm World Voices.
PALM pictures
