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Bill White's avatar

I am so, so envious Mr Sperrazza. I’ve known about ‘Tony Williams in Africa’ for a long time but never been remotely close to seeing it. Indeed, outside of the students of Professor Willie Ruff who was responsible for producing, directing and financing the film, few others have ever had the opportunity until, as you pointed out, 2020. It now appears to be popping up at various small venues in the U.S. but I can’t see it being shown in the U.K. (where I am) any time soon - even if it’s not subject to a tariff!

During the research for my book, ‘Song To The Wizard: the musical odyssey of Tony Williams’ which I hope to publish later this year, I had email contact with Mr Ruff who I hoped might be able to facilitate access to the film. In July 2015 he apprised me of the film’s availability: “Besides my use of the film in my classes at Yale and the private copy I gave Tony, the film has not been seen or distributed.” He added, “I’ve been asked to have it archived at the Smithsonian and plan to do so sometime soon when I finish several more pressing matters.”! Mr Ruff also informed me Tony Williams was accompanied to Senegal by Laura ‘Tequila’ Logan. Any mention or possible sighting of her in the film?

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Andrew Gilbert's avatar

Thanks for the beautiful account of the Tony Williams film. Hope that gets some kind of distribution. The Webster film is by the great Dutch documentarian Johan van der Keuken...His film on brass bands is a classic. "Ben Webster In Europe" is available on YouTube at the moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQrjSUdkRK4

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