Erika Chow + Blue Giant

Revered pianist Hiromi Uehar composed the score for this electrifying jazz anime, a movie which makes no apology for its obsession with the sound and fury of musical ferment. It’s the story of Dai, a young man who decides he’s going to to be the next John Coltrane. He leaves his sleepy hometown for the crowded nightclubs of Tokyo, and eventually forms a trio — Jass — with pianist Yukinori and drummer Shunji. But do they have what it takes to make it?

The director Yuzuru Tachikawa has described the film as “a concert in the theatre”, and that’s right: this movie is all about applying animation to express musicality. Which is why this is the definitive jazz movie of the last decade.

Japanese dialogue with English subtitles. 120 mins

This screening will be preceded by an hour-long set from a quartet led by Erika Chow on tenor sax (7:30 pm sharp)

Erika Chow is a Vancouver-based saxophonist known for her incredible Jazz chops and for selling out multiple shows for Infidels Jazz in recent years.

Featuring some of the very best musicians on the contemporary Vancouver Jazz scene, Erika’s quartet will perform a selection of tunes from the movie’s soundtrack, as well as a few originals and standards.

Erika Chow – Tenor Saxophone
Rick Son – Keyboards
Raphael Agustin – Bass
Jordy McIntosh – Drums

The film beautifully captures the power of live performance, the passion and intensity woven into the fabric of jazz, and most impressively the way they pour their life experiences into their art. So the key for each of them as they develop as musicians is to bare their souls. This is bold, thrilling, powerfully moving storytelling.

Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

Bursting off the screen in a cacophony of improvised jam sessions and electrifying solo performances, Blue Giant proves an intoxicating kaleidoscope of ambition, passion, sacrifice and all that jazz.

James Marsh, South China Morning Post

Blue Giant is as improbably close to watching a live performance as animation can get. A swooning big-screen experience.

Tara Brady, The Irish Times

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