THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE
USA - 2023 - 108 MINUTES
A FILM BY MAUREEN GOSLING
Barbara Dane: Folk, blues and jazz singer, international social justice activist and recording star, wife, mother of three, feminist, record producer, unwavering maverick and general troublemaker on the road at 90. THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE is a sonic boom, an explosion of music and passion, a celebration of one woman’s groundbreaking artistry and moral leadership. Standing strong with her singular confidence, Dane emanated the people-powered connectivity of folk, the defiance of blues and the elemental cool of jazz while propelling major historic events with boldness and subversion that cut through commercial artifice and earned her a 5” FBI file.THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE is an underground history of a singer-agitator whoseunbending principles guide her through notoriety, obscurity, and finally, music legend.
Featuring: The Chambers Brothers, Pablo Menéndez, Bonnie Raitt, Jane Fonda, Gary Giddens (jazz critic), Estela Bravo (Cuban filmmaker), as well as archival footage and music of Jessie Fuller, Louis Armstrong, Pete Seeger, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Tammy Hall and much more.
“Must see!” —Pam Grady, SF Chronicle
“THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE is superb – a striking film about a truly remarkable individual, one that captures Dane singing, performing, giving interviews and engaging with friends and family…Anything but another formulaic music doc. 9 LIVES is the real deal!” — Garth Cartwright (The Guardian) “Yakety Yak: Homage to an American Hero”
“The number of incredible moments Dane experienced and created throughout her life is staggering, and Gosling presents them in a ravishing cascade of imagery and music, Dane’s soulful, velvety voice floating above it all.” — Bernard Boo, MARIN MAGAZINE
“(A) lovable renegade, captured with great authenticity and breathtaking performances.”
—Randy Myers, Piedmont Exedra