Ronnie Scott was a British saxophonist who, in 1959, at the height of his popularity, chose to open a jazz club rather than make the rounds of various performance venues. A natural showman, Scott nevertheless lacked the entrepreneurial savvy needed to make a go of it alone. That’s where business partner (and fellow saxophonist) Pete King came in. Located on London’s seedy East End, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is still drawing crowds almost 30 years since the passing of its originator. As a musician, Scott held his own with the noble likes of Ben Webster; he damn near cried with joy when the master saxist played the club. Fortunately for us, someone had the insight to roll tape: Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughn, Buddy Rich, and Dizzy Gillespie are but a few of the giants of jazz on hand to perform. If your feet aren’t tapping before Oscar Peterson’s opening credits performance comes to an end, you’re dead. Outside of the club, Ronnie didn’t have a social life. Friends speculate that Scott never spoke of his frequent bouts of depression due to his macho upbringing. He was also one of the earliest casualties of botched dental implant surgery, one that forever hampered his ability to play. Written and directed by Oliver Murray. (2020) — Scott Marks
This movie is not currently in theaters.