Synopsis
'Tears of Sound' called famous double bass player Charles Mingus his sound.Charlie Mariano, saxophone player, world musician one of the big names in Jazz.
Charlie Mariano was born in Boston, his parents were italian imigrants. He played with Charlie Parker and Dizzi Gillespie in his early years. In the 70‘s Charlie Mariano comes to Europe and stays. In Germany he can make a living as jazz musician - a bg difference to the US. Chralie becomes a source of inspiration for a whole generation of european musicians.
During the years 2008/2009 we visited Charlie, who lived since 20 years in Cologne. We followed him around at home and at concerts and met musiciasns who played with Charlie since years. Also at his age of 85 Charlie Mariano has to play to make a living. 2008 his heatth becomes critical but Charlie does not give up and mobilises all his energy to play because that is what he loves.
He dies in June 2009. Three month before he plays his last great concert to celebrate his 85th birthday. Fellow musicians from his last 40 years assemble to play with him hislast concert.