I love a good music documentary. Last year we were privileged with a limited run at Village 8 Theaters of Searching For Sugar Man, which tells the story of the musician Rodriguez. He was barely known here in his native country, but somehow was discovered in South Africa and became literally more popular than Elvis. In the meantime, rumors abounded about his death – possible suicide – and so the filmmakers set out to find the truth about what happened to Rodriguez. It is an excellent documentary, well worth your time. My favorite music doc, however, is The Devil and Daniel Johnston, which is the story of this strange and troubled man and his bizarrely honest and moving music. It's a hell of a trip. (See also Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus, in which musician Jim White explores a strange blend of country music and psycho-religiosity in the South.)

Just released last year is the documentary Soldier of the Road. Bernard Josse created this film about Peter Brötzmann, German free jazz artist extraordinaire. He was instrumental (pun somewhat intended) in the improvisational jazz movement and continues to be a strong and steady influence on the genre. Journalist Gérard Ruoy assisted in the creation of the documentary, as he is something of an expert on Mr. Brötzmann, as he has been following him since the 1970s.

The Louisville Film Society presents a screening of Soldier of the Road tonight, Friday, at the Dreamland Film Center at 7:00 and 9:00. The film is followed by an after-party at Nachbar at 11:00 featuring music by Jason Ajemian, Mats Gustafsson, Joe McPhee, and Michael Zerang, to name a few.

Cost of admission to the film is $5 for LFS members and $8 for the general public. The Dreamland Film Center is located at 810 E. Market Street. The after-party is free; Nachbar is located at 969 Charles Street. Complete information can be found at the LFS website.

Image: LFS website