Netherlands / 2024 / 61 min / English / Documentary
Playing the Changes shows the social impact of jazz music, by telling the story of jazz pianist Darius Brubeck (born in 1947), the eldest son of legendary jazz musician Dave Brubeck. People quite often see him as ‘the son of’ but he has used this distinction with idealism. This story examines why and how jazz had a transformative role in different types of societies such as Poland and South Africa and tracks Darius Brubeck’s involvement in both. Not only by embracing it – but also carrying on his father legacy in his own social, educational and musical way.
The film is so much more than a biography of Darius. It has tremendous historical impact as it illustrates the post WWII environment, communism and the Iron Curtain. It shifts to South Africa and is eye opening detailing Darius and his wife Cathy’s unique contribution to the anti-Apartheid effort.
The film is filled with wonderful archival footage and photographs, not only of the Brubeck family but society, here and abroad. Oh, and of course, music, confirming Dave Brubeck’s genius and that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
DIRECTOR: Michiel grew up in front of the television and developed a broad taste in film. He decided to make films for himself. It led him to the Utrecht School of the Arts where he experimented with different genres and narratives.
In his 3rd year he went to Costa Rica to film a jazz documentary called Un Mecato on the life of Robin J. Blakeman. Robin is an English jazz musician who moved to Costa Rica to develop his love for Latin Jazz.
Michiel later made a drama film called Papier Hier, about a character called Holle Bolle Gijs, a boy who is eternalized as a trash can in fairy tale-themed theme park. The film was a fairy parable to educate children with social skills. The film revolves around neglect, fat shaming and karma.
Michiel then made a film about his youth. He wrote and directed Steven Caught a Star. A ‘broken home’ movie about a boy who grows up with divorcing parents, inspired by his childhood experience. He then made another jazz doc focusing on the life of a Ukrainian jazz vibraphonist living and working in Russia.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT: The first time I met Darius was in London in 2016. I was there to film a promo for a documentary that I wanted to make about the Jazz Ambassadors program. I was an admirer of Darius’ father’s music and when I shook his hand, I even thought: this is the son of the man who made Take Five, Rondo a la Turk and Unsquare Dance, among others. I also discovered that Darius was an impressive pianist when I listened to Years Ago on Spotify, but Darius’ life story in South Africa was completely unknown to me. I was mesmerized by our conversations about his and Cathy’s dedication to establish Jazz Studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (then University of Natal) during the apartheid- era, and realized how this resonates with the life of his father Dave.
To me it feels as if Darius wanted to make his mark by doing something different in the jazz world. When I interviewed jazz lovers in Poland, I realized that everyone spoke about Dave, but nobody spoke about Darius. Many films have been made about Dave, but the story of Darius has not yet been told. I want to change that with this documentary.
Contact: info@michieltenkleij.nl
Special Guests:
Sponsored by: Teri Pattullo
