Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet

1967-71

Taking Our Time (Arena)

1977-78 60’

with Red Ladder Theatre, based on their musical play about time and the Industrial Revolution

Jazz, Rock and Marriage

1979 60’

about jazz saxophonist Barbara Thompson and her husband rock drummer Jon Hiseman

Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia

1979 45’

in concert at Bracknell Jazz Festival

Fringe Benefits (Arena)

1980 50’

political theatre songs of the 70’s, featuring Belt and Braces, Red Ladder, The Sadista Sisters and the Albany’s Combination.

Classically Cuban (Arena )

1983 BBC 60’

about the life and work of ballerina Alicia Alonso and her Cuban National Ballet Company.

What’s Cuba Playing At? (Arena )

1985 BBC 75’

exploring the Afro-Spanish roots of Cuban music and featuring a wide range of Cuban bands and performers.

Appalachian Journey

1987-88 Channel 4/DD 2 x 70’

two films about traditional American music, co-directed with Mark Kidel, and made with the US musicologist Alan Lomax for his series ‘An American Patchwork’.

Dreams and Songs of The Noble Old

1987-88 Channel 4/DD 2 x 70’

two films about traditional American music, co-directed with Mark Kidel, and made with the US musicologist Alan Lomax for his series ‘An American Patchwork’.

The Miles Davis Story

2000-01 Channel 4/DD 124’

made in collaboration with Miles’ British biographer Ian Carr; the innovative and charismatic jazz trumpeter as remembered by his family, friends and the many great musicians who played with him over the years. Now available as a SONY DVD. (International EMMY for best arts documentary 2001 and Royal Television Society TV award 2001)

Mark Anthony Turnage

2002-03 BBC 30’

BBC4 Profile with Gerard McBurney of the celebrated young British composer.

Keith Jarrett – The Art of Improvisation

2004-05 Channel 4/DD 86’

first feature length documentary about the jazz world’s most brilliant piano improviser, and great performer of classical music. Now available as a EuroArts DVD.

Tango Maestro: The Life and Music of Astor Piazzolla

2004-05 BBC/DD 106’

the radical Argentinian tango composer and bandoneon virtuoso, as remembered by his family, friends and many of the musicians who played with him. Now available on a BBC/OpusArte DVD, called ‘Astor Piazzolla-in portrait’.

Barbara Thompson: Playing Against Time

2012 BBC4 80’

Playing Against Time is a feature-length documentary about Barbara’s inspiring and creative struggle with Parkinsons disease, whose physical effects are particularly cruel, and visible, in the life of an improvising jazz musician.