Jazz Animated Shorts at Rochester Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

(June 7, 2007) — Two of Rochester's vital annual events — the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the High Falls Film Festival — are teaming with the George Eastman House to bring a program of jazz-related animated shorts to the jazz fest.

A program of films from the Hubley Studios will be shown at 7 p.m. Sunday and again at 7 p.m. Monday at the Dryden Theatre of the Eastman House, 900 East Ave. The films, created by the late John and Faith Hubley, blend imagery with rare tracks of classic jazz performed by such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson and Lionel Hampton.

For example, in one short, "The Adventures of an Asterisk," a baby (represented by the asterisk) is born and soon learns to revel in the visual world. The short is accompanied by Benny Carter and Hampton.

The films mark a return of sorts for Faith Hubley to Rochester. Just a few months before her death in 2001, the Oscar-winning animator was honored at the first High Falls Film Festival with the Web of Life Award. Since her death, the award has borne her name.

The Hubley shorts will be the only films shown in conjunction with this year's jazz festival. The screenings are free and open to the public.