2008
Not Rated
1 h 30 m

2008
Not Rated
1 h 30 m

Summary The film is a thorough investigation of the life and times of the great jazz vocalist, Anita O’Day. Filmmakers Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden dedicated many years to capturing the engaging story of O’Day’s rise to fame: following her career from her youthful days singing alongside greats like Hoagy Carmichael, Gene Krupa, Stan Kenton,...

Directed By: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

Written By: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

2008
Not Rated
1 h 30 m

2008
Not Rated
1 h 30 m

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Name: Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer
Genre: Documentary, Music
Released: 2008-08-15
Duration: 1 min 30 s
Rating: 76
Cast: Anita O'Day, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bregman, Dick Cavett, John Colianni

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Directed By: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

Written By: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
12 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
12 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

The New York Times

How was this careless, self-destructive human rhythm machine able to outlast almost all her peers? Maybe the vitality of the jazz she made kept her alive. She was one tough lady.

By Stephen Holden FULL REVIEW

Chicago Sun-Times

Here was a great artist. She enjoyed her life. She didn't complain at the time, she didn't complain when she went cold turkey, she didn't complain in her 80s.

By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW

Christian Science Monitor

Although the documentary is something of a patchwork affair and lacks the late singer's ineffable smoothness and rhythmic brilliance, it emphatically makes the case that here was one of the four or five all-time great female jazz voices – or "song stylists," as she called herself.

FULL REVIEW

New York Post

A high point shows O'Day, in a black-and-white hat and form-fitting dress, singing "Sweet Georgia Brown" at the Newport Jazz Festival. That scene alone confirms O'Day's place among the greats.

By V.A. Musetto FULL REVIEW

Chicago Reader

One of the few white vocalists to play the Apollo, O'Day does fabulous things with her hands as well as her voice when she sings. Her talent and will to survive (in the late 60s she kicked a 16-year heroin addiction) are reasons enough to see this film.

By Jonathan Rosenbaum FULL REVIEW

Variety

Force of personality and terrific vintage performance clips make a keeper of Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer.

By Dennis Harvey FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

Offers what her fans came to expect from the "Jezebel of Jazz": great music.

By Ken Fox FULL REVIEW

See All 12 Critic Reviews

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Details

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Production Company AOD Productions, Élan Entertainment

Release Date Aug 15, 2008

Duration 1 h 30 m

Rating Not Rated

Genres

Website http://www.anitaoday.com/

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Awards

Satellite Awards

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

Grammy Awards

• 1 Nomination

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Top Cast

Anita O'Day

Self

Louis Armstrong

Self

Buddy Bregman

Self

Dick Cavett

Self

John Colianni

Self - pianist

Leonard Feather

Self

Will Friedwald

Self

Russell Garcia

Self

Willis Holman

Self

Eddie Locke

Self

Johnny Mandel

Self

John Cameron Mitchell

Self

John Poole

Self

Denny Roach

Self

Annie Ross

Self

Billy Taylor

Self

George Wein

Self

Margaret Whiting

Self

Joe Wilder

Self

Gerald Wilson

Self

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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