Sibling jazz greats immortalized on film

A new documentary about the brother of a jazz legend, made by well-known Simon Fraser University filmmaker Colin Browne, airs nationally on CBC television’s Opening Night on Thursday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. Linton Garner: I Never Said Goodbye is an hour-long, intimate portrait of Linton Garner, the brother of Erroll Garner, considered the greatest pianist to emerge in jazz since World War II.

Browne’s film documents Linton’s creation of a tribute to his younger brother Erroll’s work. Browne’s documentary captures conversations, working sessions, rehearsals and performances involving the two brothers and traces Linton’s development of an eight-song suite in honour of his brother. Browne was inspired to make the film when Linton shared his plan to write this tribute. "It’s like a waltz between two brothers across nations and across time," reflects Browne. "It’s 80 years worth of love, trust, and emotional knowledge through music."

Erroll died at the age of 56 in 1977. Linton, who passed away in March 2003 at age 87, never attained the recognition of his older brother, but was an accomplished musician in his own right, working with a number of jazz luminaries. Browne’s latest documentary was screened at a sold-out house at the 2002 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Browne teaches production, screenwriting and film history at SFU’s school for the contemporary arts. His areas of interest include documentary and innovative film production, poetry, fiction, poetics and interdisciplinary performance.

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