Calle 54

2000 Documentary

Filmmaker Fernando Trueba was introduced to Latin jazz in the 1980s, when he was beginning his career as a director, and he has since become a devoted fan of the music. After employing noted jazz artists to score some of his films, Trueba took his love of the music one step further with the documentary Calle 54, in which he gathered together a number of his favorite Latin jazz artists for a series of interviews and performances at the Sony Music recording studios in New York City. The artists include two pioneering Latin jazz stars, percussionist Tito Puente and horn player Paquito D'Rivera, as well as father-and-son piano duo Bebo Valdes and Chucho Valdes, Gato Barbieri and his tenor sax, the New York-based ensemble Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and veteran pianists Chico O'Farrill and Eliane Elias.

Director: Fernando Trueba

Starring: Eliane Elias, Chano Dominguez, Tito Puente, Michel Camilo, Gato Barbieri

Reviews

  • A landmark musical tribute.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    19 January 2013

  • Even better on a second viewing because the film is such a pure expression of the director's love for the music, a love so infectious it should leave you elated.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • A magnificent concert film of Latino jazz.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    19 January 2013

  • This is one fan's valentine to the music he loves. It just happens that the fan is a terrific filmmaker and the music loves him back -- and we get to see it and hear it all. What a treat.

    - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • The result is almost enough to make an audience levitate.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Outstanding Television Documentary

    ALMA Awards (2002)

  • Fernando Trueba

    European Film Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Sound (Mejor Sonido)

    Goya Awards (2001)

  • Fernando Trueba

    Miami Film Festival (2001)

  • Best Feature Film

    San Diego International Film Festival (2001)