Concert celebrates ‘Anatomy of a Murder’
By JOHANNA BOYLE Journal Ishpeming Bureau and the Associated PressCheck out the video in Video Exclusives!
ISHPEMING - In a year full of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the release of the film "Anatomy of a Murder," there will be a lot of attention focused on the actors and areas around the county where the film was shot. This weekend presents an opportunity to celebrate a different aspect of the film: the music.
Composed by Duke Ellington and performed in the film by his own band, the music of "Anatomy" was a step outside the norm for films of the 1950s.
"It's big band music. Movie soundtracks from this time period are generally going to be studio orchestras," said Steve Grugin, music director for the Westerly Winds, a local 17-member big band group. "It's a different twist, so to speak."
The Westerly Winds will present "The Duke at the Pete," a concert of pieces from Anatomy of a Murder, as well as other Duke Ellington and big band pieces. The concert will be held in Ishpeming's Peterson Auditorium at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5.
Music in the film helps set the tone for various scenes, particularly in the opening sequence where attorney Paul Biegler, played by Jimmy Stewart, drives down the street to his office.
"It's that classic 1950s jazz that makes you feel like something ominous is going to happen," said Dave Williams, producer of the concert and the group's bass player. "To set up the action, that first song where he's coming into Ishpeming is perfect."
The concert will be set up around music from the film's soundtrack, including the movie's theme, as well as the themes of several of the major characters. An introduction to each piece will explain its place in the movie.
A special addition to the lineup will be violinist Janis Peterson, director of the Marquette Senior High School orchestra. A violin solo in the middle of a jazz piece is somewhat unusual, Grugin said.
"It is different," he said. "String players aren't used to swinging, but she's doing a good job with that. She really seemed to jump at the chance to do this."
In addition to the pieces from the "Anatomy" soundtrack are several other pieces composed by or connected to Ellington, who had a cameo in the film as Pie-Eye, the owner of a roadhouse featured in one scene.
The concert will allow people to not only experience the music of the movie, but also to experience the big band sound, Williams said.
"People actually paid to go to dances where big bands were playing and it was a wonderful thing," he said. "Big band jazz was everywhere then."
