The prophetic free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler, who today is seen as one of the most important innovators in jazz, was obsessed with his radical music and by the thought that people one day would understand it, as he said in his own words, “If people don't like it now, they will.”  In 1962 he recorded his first album in Sweden.

Eight years later he was found dead in New York's East River, aged 34. This new documentary follows the trail of Albert from his native town of Cleveland by way of Sweden to New York, meeting family, friends and colleagues. Albert himself guides us with his voice and music. Seven years in the making, the film includes newly discovered footage of Ayler and his band.

"ONE OF THE MOST STARKLY BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE ABOUT A JAZZ MUSICIAN" - Jazz Times

"REMARKABLE...A CAUSE FOR REJOICING." - New Yorker

"A GORGEOUS PORTRAIT" - Variety

“BRINGS AYLER BACK TO LIFE" - Village Voice

"PUTS MOST LATTER-DAY DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT CULT MUSICIANS TO SHAME" - New York Sun

"THE QUINTESSENTIAL PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST WHO WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME - AND KNEW IT."
- SF Weekly

"AN EXTRAORDINARY PORTRAIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MUSICIAN" -Sight & Sound

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE OR EVEN APPRECIATE AYLER'S STRIKING BRAND OF MUSIC TO BE MOVED BY THIS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE. ... MY NAME IS ALBERT AYLER WILL HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON A BASIC LEVEL." - Film Journal International

"AN EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY FILM ... ABOUT ARTISITIC INTEGRITY IN THE FACE OF POVERTY AND OF COMMITMENT TO A MUSICAL VISION" - The Guardian

www.mynameisalbertayler.com

MJF DEBUT!

	Sunday Afternoon - September 21, 2008 / 4:30 - 6:30pm
	Jazz Theater