Being Hipp (Trailer)

Who was Jutta Hipp? A brilliant jazz pianist from Germany, she defied the odds and made it to the heart of the male-dominated jazz scene in 1950s New York. She was the first white woman ever signed to Blue Note Records. A rising star, celebrated by the press, admired by fellow musicians — and then: silence. Just a few years into her American career, Jutta Hipp walked away from it all. She never touched a piano again. She took a job in a sewing factory in Queens and disappeared from the public eye. What happened? And why did one of the most intriguing figures in jazz history vanish so quietly? “Being Hipp” is a cinematic investigation into a life full of brilliance, mystery, and contradiction. More than just a biography, the film unfolds a vivid portrait of transatlantic jazz culture in a time of upheaval — between war and reconstruction, exile and fame, emancipation and erasure. Legendary jazz icons like David Amram, Lou Donaldson, and Sheila Jordan, who knew Jutta Hipp personally, remember her spirit, her sound, and her struggles. Her biographer Ilona Haberkamp opens rare archives and personal letters. Rising star Clara Haberkamp reinterprets Hipp’s music. Harvard professor Ingrid Monson explores the political, racial, and gender dynamics of the jazz world Hipp dared to enter. Other renowned voices from today’s jazz scene join the film — adding insight, admiration, and a sense of urgency to a story that is as relevant now as it was then. Told with lyrical imagery, powerful music, and deep humanity, “Being Hipp” is a tribute to a woman who never tried to please — and in doing so, became a legend. Produced by schmidtFilm Length - 52 mins • Production year 2025 Director: Anna Schmidt ▶ INFO: https://bit.ly/4mIBqmj © schmidtFilm