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'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris. DVD. Directed by Raymond DeFilitta. Los Angeles, CA: Outsider Pictures, 2008. 897873002015. $19.99.
In the documentary film 'Tis Autumn, writer and director Raymond DeFelitta examines the life of crooner Jackie Paris. Early in his career, Paris was the singer of choice for Charles Mingus, he toured with Charlie Parker, and Down Beat voted him best male vocalist in 1953. Yet, Paris never achieved widespread fame, an apparent mystery that DeFelitta sets out to explore, ultimately concluding that, among other factors, Paris hit his creative peak just as what he had to offer was going out of style.
DeFelitta's archival digging has resulted in a film laden with period photographs, stock footage of 1950s New York, a wonderful soundtrack filled with classic...