About the Film
This Cat Can Play Anything is a portrait of New Orleans banjo and guitar player Emanuel “Manny” Sayles, tracing his life and long career in jazz. At age 71, Sayles revisits New Orleans neighborhoods from his past, recalls the musicians and places that shaped him, and reflects on a career that paralleled much of the history of American jazz.
Along the way, Sayles reunites with Edmund Washington, a surviving member of his first professional band, and violinist “Papa John” Creach, who played with Sayles in the 1938 Chicago trio the Chocolate Music Bars and later became a member of Jefferson Airplane. Sayles talks about his musical philosophy and demonstrates how classical training and improvisation come together in New Orleans jazz. His wife reflects on life married to a jazz musician, while jazz historian and critic Al Rose provides background on Sayles and his career.
Members of the Kid Thomas Jazz Band also appear, including Paul “Polo” Barnes, reflecting on a generation of New Orleans musicians and a musical tradition they fear may disappear with them. The film closes with Sayles singing “St. James Infirmary.”
