Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas
2013•U•59m•Released
DocumentaryMusic
The documentary tracks the diva's difficult progress as she emerges from the tough, testosterone-fuelled world of the big bands of the 30s and 40s, to fill nightclubs and saloons across the US in the 50s and early 60s as a force in her own right. Looking at the lives and careers of six individual singers (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Annie Ross), the film not only talks to those who knew and worked with these queens of jazz, but also to contemporary singers who sit on the shoulders of these trailblazing talents without having to endure the pain and hardship it took for them to make their highly individual voices heard above the prejudice of mid-century America.
Director
Chris Rodley
Languages
English
Studio
BBC Four
Cast
Peggy Lee
Self (archive footage)
Sarah Vaughan
Self (archive footage)
Nina Simone
Self (archive footage)
Ella Fitzgerald
Self (archive footage)
Annie Ross
Self
Melody Gardot
Self
Madeleine Peyroux
Self
Billie Holiday
Self (archive footage)
Production
Company
BBC Four
Producer
Chris Rodley
Recommended
7.1
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
2019
7.3
Janis: Little Girl Blue
2015
6.9
Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger
2026
7
Western Stars
2019
7.8
Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
2021
6.9
Justin Bieber's Believe
2013
8.4
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)
2026
7.7
Adele One Night Only
2021
7.3
WHAM!
2023
7.1
Katy Perry: Part of Me
2012
8.4
Ozzy: No Escape from Now
2025
7.5
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016
7.7
The Last Waltz
1978
7.9
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne
2011
7.4
Becoming Led Zeppelin
2025
8.2
One Direction: This Is Us
2013
8.2
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
2026
7.8
Live Aid
1985
7.3
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story
2019
7.8
OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)
2022
Similar Movies
7
Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
2008
Racist Trees
2022
7
J Is for Junkie
2011
7.7
The Blues Brothers
1980
4.2
Desolate Rome
1995
So Near... So Far
2017
7.6
Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992
2017
Dear Director
2015
7
Dresden Story
1954
8
Miles in Paris 1989
1989
6
Body and Soul: An American Bridge
2017
LIVE at the Court
2025
Miroslav Vitouš – jazzová legenda
2017
Aos de ontem, aos de sempre
2018
7
Face of Hate
2024
8
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
1979
Jazz Icons: Oscar Peterson Live in '63, '64 & '65
2008
7.7
OJ: Trial of the Century
2014
10
The Wurst Has a Master Plan
2025
6.7
Beaches
1988