A short music movie was released on May 5, 1944 by Warner Brothers Pictures. It was directed by Gjon Mili and produced by Gordon Hollingshead. The project was spearheaded by jazz impresario Norman Granz. Only ten minutes in length, the movie was intended to recreate the atmosphere of a late-night jam session in a club and features performances by some of the leading jazz musicians of the day. Seen and heard in “Jammin’ the Blues” are Lester Young, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Illinois Jacquet, “Big Sid” Catlett, Jo Jones, Red Callender and Barney Kessel. The movie also includes a performance by vocalist and dancer Marie Bryant and dancer Archie Savage.

Three songs are performed in “Jammin’ the Blues:” Lester Young’s Midnight Symphony, On the Sunny Side of the Street and Jammin’ the Blues. All of the performers are Black except for guitarist Kessel who is hidden in the shadows and whose hands were stained with berry juice lest any audience members be offended by the thought of Black and white musicians playing together (which, of course, happened all the time in jam sessions).

“Jammin’ the Blues” was nominated for an Oscar for “Best Short Subject” in 1944 and was added to United States National Film registry by the Library of Congress in 1995.

Here is a link to the film in its entirety:

"JAMMIN' THE BLUES"