Arts Alliance bust their ‘Chops’

I think the reason why folks love their college football and NCAA dribbling is because its pits youth and top tier competition against one another. Psychologists are still debating the pros and cons of competition among young adults, but for viewers, this merge of the two makes for some great docu-tainment. Feisty , spirited such docs spelling bee battles (Spellbound), sport-related rags to riches (Hoop Dreams), dance-offs (Mad Hot Ballroom) and now a junior jazz comp are part of that trend. Today, Arts Alliance America picked up theatrical/DVD rights to Bruce Broder’s Chops.

The docu looks at the annual event: Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially
Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is where 15 high
school jazz bands from across North America get the chance to wow audiences and
Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, with their
interpretations of the work of the great Duke Ellington. CHOPS follows three
such bands, two from Seattle, one from Jacksonville, Florida as they prepare for
and compete in the 2006 Essentially Ellington event. While CHOPS is a natural
draw for jazz-lovers, it’s equally compelling for anyone who appreciates a film
with a great story and great characters.

The Reeler interviewed first-time filmmaker Bruce Broder, at last year’s Tribeca film fest..: