Monday April 16, 2007 2007
Captured in vivid, grainy black-and-white, *Monday April 16, 2007* (2007) is a fleeting yet electric snapshot of avant-garde jazz legend John Zorn leading his ensemble through the frenetic energy of *COBRA*, Part One.
Director: Jonas Mekas
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Monday April 16, 2007 (2007) about?
This short film documents John Zorn and his band performing *COBRA*, Part One, at the Anthology Film Archives. Jonas Mekas' camera captures the musicians in mid-flight, blending documentary-style footage with the visceral energy of avant-garde jazz.
Who directed Monday April 16, 2007?
Jonas Mekas, the legendary filmmaker and co-founder of the Anthology Film Archives, directed this immersive performance piece.
Who stars in Monday April 16, 2007?
The film features John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, Mark Feldman, Jim Staley, and Zeena Parkins in a high-octane jazz performance.
Is Monday April 16, 2007 (2007) worth watching?
If you appreciate raw, experimental jazz or the work of Jonas Mekas, this nine-minute film is a must-see. Its unpolished intensity offers a unique window into Zorn's influential *COBRA* piece, making it a standout in the documentary-music genre despite its brevity.
How long is Monday April 16, 2007?
The film runs for 9 minutes.
About Monday April 16, 2007 (2007) — John Zorn's COBRA unleashed in a raw, poetic performance film
Captured in vivid, grainy black-and-white, *Monday April 16, 2007* (2007) is a fleeting yet electric snapshot of avant-garde jazz legend John Zorn leading his ensemble through the frenetic energy of *COBRA*, Part One. Director Jonas Mekas, a pioneer of experimental cinema, frames the performance with raw immediacy, turning the Anthology Film Archives into a living canvas for improvisation. Featuring the virtuosic Mark Feldman on violin, percussionist Cyro Baptista's hypnotic rhythms, and the unmistakable guitar work of Marc Ribot, the film pulses with the urgent spontaneity of free jazz. Shot in just nine minutes, it's less a traditional documentary and more a fever dream of sound and motion, where the boundaries between artist and audience dissolve in a shared moment of creation.
This isn't just a concert film—it's a time capsule of downtown NYC's most daring musical minds, from trombonist Jim Staley's fiery intensity to harpist Zeena Parkins' ethereal textures. Mekas' lens lingers on the musicians' physical expressions, capturing the physicality of their craft as much as the notes they produce. The result is a hypnotic, almost meditative experience that lingers long after the final chord fades, offering a rare glimpse into the alchemy of improvisation.