Portrait: Jesse Fuller

About This Item

A KRON-TV film documentary featuring the last public concert given by one man band musician Jesse Fuller, in Oakland Museum's Cowell Hall on May 7th 1971. Fuller is seen playing several songs (including 'San Francisco Bay Blues') and bantering with the audience, recalling how he appeared in Raoul Walsh's 1924 movie 'The Thief of Bagdad'. Also includes close-up views of him playing his guitar and fotdella (a foot operated percussion bass) and talking about his playing style. Begins and ends with brief scenes of Fuller walking around his Oakland neighborhood. This film was made in cooperation with the Oakland Museum.

Movette Film Transfer of San Francisco remastered this 16mm positive film print in May 2018 in 2K resolution (2048x1556 pixels), using a Lasergraphics film scanner. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

Originally aired on
KRON-TV
Date aired
1971
Recording medium
16mm color, optical sound film
25:12
Rights for this video belong to
KRON-TV
Type of material
documentary film
Identifier
KRON 20-2K
Views
12297

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Comments

Over a year ago, Gypsy Copeland wrote…

I met Jesse in about 1960-61 when he was touring west coast music venues and coffee houses.  He was playing at the 13th Avenue Gallery and Cafe Espresso in Portland, Oregon.  While he was in town, he was  staying with my neighbor, Jeffrey.  I feel so fortunate to have met Jesse, and had a "command performance" of  San Francisco Bay Blues, after having Jeffrey and Jesse over for dinner.  A gentleman!

Over a year ago, ed wrote…

in the early 60's after listening to his first record and drinking a lot we fraternity guys called him (# on the album: lone cat fuller ) had the brilliant idea the  to send jesse $25 and asked him to come to uva in charlottsville to play a concert, never expecting him to come but happy to help fund his career. however after a week we received a collect phone call from jesse. he was on his way over the rockies and heading our way, arriving in a week. he was reticent about going through georgia but said he had his shotgun in his nash rambler and wanted to be sure virginia was an ok place top be. we had now to scramble to put together a concert at uva, which we did, complete with fliers, and soon another call from the outskirts of c'ville and we went to escort him to the house. there he was at a gas station,  entertaining some workers with tap dancing and plating his 12string. great concert, gigs in a few bars (where he could play but not eat or drink...), fraternity on probation because he slept at the house (...) and he left with some good cash. ate sardines, soda crackers and ice cream. no drinks for him and he taught several of us some guitar licks. he returned to va and gave a concert in richmond etc. a really fine person all around. had a few letter conversations and tried to set him up in wash dc but by then he had a real manager who was aghast at our audacity and jesse was confounded why he could not come to dc... miss him but still play a few of his songs, complete with my harmonica and kazoo...

Over a year ago, devon wedding photographer wrote…

What a great film, I love watching history like this an amazing talent. Agreed born in the wrong time and place...

Over a year ago, Dave Harris wrote…

Thanks for this! It was a great chance for a guy, born too late (and in the wrong place), to witness Jesse Fuller at the end of his career. I particularly enjoyed Jesse's between song patter. Kudos to all of the people involved. Watch for my forthcoming book on one man bands, which includes a full chapter on Jesse, with remembrances by Jesse Cahn, Robert "One Man" Johnson, Ian Bennetts and others.

Over a year ago, Drew Johnson wrote…

Very enjoyable film and a great project.  I must correct a small typo, though.  The location at the Oakland Museum is the "Cowell" Hall of California History, not "Crowell."

Keep up the good work.

Drew Johnson, curator of photography, Oakland Museum of California

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