Henry Ferrini was born in Boston in the early 50’s. After dropping out of college to pursue music he landed in Gloucester, Massachusetts. There he turned in his woodwinds for a camera. In 1978 he made his first film about environmental responsibility for the Gloucester Arts and Humanities. Over the last 40 years his work has focused on what Jack Kerouac calls, “the great continent of New England.” His interest in cultural geography and an abiding love for it’s underbelly has taken him to surrounding working-class communities of the industrial Northeast unearthing material many would overlook. Ferrini films employ a lyrical approach that allows for exploration of his subject’s philosophies, thoughts and ideas. His films have been called “evokumentaries.” This style is manifest in his last release, Polis is This : Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place an hour long journey through the poet and filmmaker’s hometown guided by Amiri Baraka, Robert Creeley, Anne Waldman, Vincent Ferrini, John Sinclair, Ed Sanders and John Malkovich. Bill Corbett of the Boston Phoenix called Polis, “the best film about an American poet, ever.”Ferrini's current project focuses on the saxophonist Lester Young. President of Beauty explores the musical, racial, political and cultural environment that shaped the life of Lester Young. When Jazz ambassador Dizzy Gillespie was asked if Mr. Young was the bridge between Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker, his reply was “Lester is no bridge, he’s the river.” Like the river Lester’s music floats through America from 1909 to today. From New Orleans up stream to Minneapolis and LA to Paris, this iconic American master musician, poet, hipster and griot begins his career playing minstral shows in his father’s carnival band. In the 30’s while dodging Jim Crow he become the Jimi Hendrix of the swing generation. The music watered the seeds the civil rights movement as it brought Americans of all pursuations into the same halls to dance and enjoy life. His influences on music, language and fashion captured the imaginations of a range of artists. Frank Sinatra, BB King, Harry Belafonte, Sonny Rollins, Michael Basquiat, and Marvin Gaye are a testament to his shaping of origins of the coolmask in America culture.
