A Tuba to Cuba

This is a beautiful film about the power of music and the shared humanity that exists between every citizen of the world. The story of the world famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band travel from New Orleans to Cuba, (which share a lot of musical and cultural history I learned), to travel across the island meeting Cuban musicians, performing concerts, and experiencing life-changing moments with those they encounter and the places they travel.

Staying away from a trite sermon on the social issues between the two countries or in Cuba itself; the filmmakers instead focus on the bonds that tie all us as people together, and show us some truly amazing music and real life moments along the way. One scene that stands out in particular (without giving anything away) is when an African-American musician has an amazing experience jamming and learning history with an African-Cuban musician, though the two don't speak the same language.

No matter what your feelings are on Jazz, Cuba, or music documentaries, this film will have an impact on you, and make you leave the theater feeling that anything is possible.

I am from Louisiana, half of my family is from New Orleans, and I am a music buff so I do know a lot of the history of New Orleans music. However, there seems to be no end to the depth of New Orleans music history as I keep learning more. This film proved that. If you have any interest at all in New Orleans, jazz music, international music, or all of the above, you will love this film. Even if you just have an interest in documentaries, I feel that this one is very powerful. It will keep you entertained with colorful, New Orleans and Cuban cultural visuals as it tells its story about family roots/history, the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the bond of music.

This film tells the beautiful story of the inter-connectedness of music, culture and humanity. Preservation Hall is a national treasure and today's Preservation Hall Jazz Band takes the best of the past and blends it with new flavor, making it all new again. Don't miss this film -- it's a feast for the eyes, ears and heart. Brilliant direction and cinematography. And I dare you to sit still while listening to that soundtrack!

A Tuba to Cuba has a double timeline. Covering the band's visit to Cuba to engage with their Cuban counterparts, the film also goes backward in time to tell the story of Preservation Hall's birth in the early 60s in a New Orleans that had little interest in the jazz legends that still lived there but had no place to play or make a living. It's an important story, not only about music but about race in America.

So, engaging with both past and present seems part and parcel in what the film records: the band's embracing a future that for the first time includes original music, music that in character is as traditional as the music that they are known for, deeply rooted in New Orleans syncopated rhythms and forms, but is also informed by Cuban rhythms and forms. They came back from their trips to Cuba and, to the surprise of many here in New Orleans, announced that they had learned something *new* about rhythm--not something masters of the New Orleans tradition would say lightly. The evidence of this learning experience is recorded in the film and in the albums which emerged from their visits to Cuba: So it Is! and That's It! Great film, great albums. Great windows into both New Orleans and Cuba and their considerable music achievements.

Very rarely have I seen a film that moves me like this one. It gives you hope for humanity and focus on what connects us, Music! This doc is beautiful shot and edited with extreme craftsmanship! A beautiful love letter to New Orleans Jazz, I would see it on the big screen if you have the chance!