'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris

Some people get it, and some people don't. As well as being the highly entertaining and interesting story of the filmmaker's discovery of and search for his intriguing subject, this film is an honest, unsparing, and very moving portrait of Jackie Paris, delving into the man's career and personal history -- which were unfairly and inaccurately described in the previous review. It reveals a soulful human being (no more flawed than we all are) who is an important and overlooked figure in the history of jazz, and a favorite singer of many, including Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, and Lenny Bruce (with whom he toured as the opening act). It's structured in a postmodern, somewhat improvisational style, like jazz itself -- with some mystery, too. Paris was an original -- a stylistic singer, and also a great guitarist and tap dancer -- respected and admired by those in the know. In fact, his influence is still strong, detectable in many singers, and not only in the jazz idiom. Many important musical figures are interviewed in the film, as well as family and friends, old and new. In addition, the extra commentary track version is very much worth checking out for further interesting background information. The other extras, too, are worthwhile, especially the club performance of Paris singing a big hit from his earlier career, "'Tis Autumn" -- it sums up a man's life in its Autumn, and is by itself worth the price of admission. Overall, a positive and successful work about a positive and ultimately successful man, notwithstanding any missteps along the way.