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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2001 RE: NEW DOCUMENTARY ON FREE JAZZ: INSIDE OUT IN THE OPEN An expressionist journey into he music known as free jazz CONTACT: Alan Roth, director, producer Tel: 718-567-8052 E-mail: info@insideoutintheopen Website: www.insideoutintheopen.net. A new documentary, Inside Out In The Open, will premiere on July 21 in New York City. Directed by Alan Roth, Inside Out In The Open is a documentary about a form of jazz, popularly known as free jazz. The film is an exploration of that music through the voices and performances of over twenty such musicians, from those who were its first generation to younger musicians excited by its sound. Alive with their personalities and language, Inside Out In The Open organically reveals itself layer upon layer, as musically as its subject matter, addressing ideas on improvisation, performing, influences, and memories from the 60's. The premiere will take place on Saturday, July 21, 5:00 PM, at Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., in New York City's East Village. A second showing is scheduled for Sunday July 22 at 3:00 PM. Mr. Roth and some of the musicians will be present at both showings. For more information, e-mail to: info@insideoutintheopen. A new website has also being launched at: www.insideoutintheopen.net. Free jazz was the evolution in the history of American jazz music that grew out of the early 1960s. Also called the New Thing, the Jazz Revolution, and free improvisation, those musicians expanded the boundaries in rhythm, sound, harmonics, and collective improvisation, with an expansive openness and deep emotion. It continues now as a musical tradition, attracting younger musicians and younger audiences. Inside Out In The Open is a unique documentary in its style, unlike more "encyclopedic" work. Its organic, layered approach reflects its subject matter, calling upon the viewer to take an active role. In the process, it not only introduces the music and the personalities, it opens doors for the viewer to learn more. The only voices are of the musicians themselves, speaking about creating music, influences, memories of the 60s and more. Inside Out In The Open is being released in the shadow of the much-criticized PBS documentary by Ken Burns. Inside Out In The Open finally gives recognition to important musicians who were completely left out of that PBS program. This list includes Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Eric Dolphy, and the later work of John Coltrane. It also speaks primarily from the musicians' point of view. Interviewed are: Marion Brown, Roswell Rudd; John Tchicai; Alan Silva, Burton Greene Joseph Jarman, Baikida Carroll, William Parker, Daniel Carter, Matthew Shipp, and Susie Ibarra. Performers include: the late Denis Charles and Glenn Spearman, Joseph Jarman, Peter Brötzmann, Thomas Borgmann, John Tchicai, Sun Ra and his Arkestra, In Order To Survive (William Parker, Cooper-Moore, Rob Brown, Susie Ibarra), Other Dimensions In Music (Roy Campbell, Daniel Carter, Rashid Bakr, William Parker with Matt Shipp), Baikida Carroll and Reggie Workman. Also, selected music from Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, the N.Y. Art Quartet and the Free Form Improvisation Ensemble. Inside Out In The Open is director's Alan Roth debut. Mr. Roth now lives in Brooklyn, New York. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, where he left a career in the U.S. Postal Service to become a filmmaker. His past in Cleveland also included many years as a social activist and involvement in the arts. He moved to New York City in 1995 to obtain his Master's Degree in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research. Inside Out In The Open is the first of two examinations of this music. Roth's second documentary, now in production, will focus on the avant-garde New York Art Quartet (Roswell Rudd, John Tchicai, Milford Graves and Reggie Workman). The NYAQ played for only a year in 1964-65, but reunited in June 1999. "I grew up with a love for jazz and later became especially attracted to this very freely improvised music. It's so hard to categorize, yet so profound and emotional. With little visual work about it, I began this journey in 1997 and wanted to create a document that would share my own enthusiasm for this music in the context my own expression of visual documentary language. "In light of the criticisms of the Ken Burns documentary on jazz, I am eager to open up new awareness on the importance of recognizing the profound artistry in this music. Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, John Coltrane and so many others took music to a higher level. Not easily understood, it was also more challenging to most listeners. What is needed are ways of explaining this artistry to new listeners, who may better appreciate it through understanding. That was my intention with Inside Out In The Open. "-- Alan Roth