As part of the annual Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month (D'JAM) festivities held each April, Sammons Jazz and USA Film Festival partner to present the Southwest premiere of two jazz-related documentary films. The screenings begin at 3 p.m. with Oscar Peterson: Black + White, a celebration of the life and work of the legendary Canadian jazz pianist. The 90-minute-long film features a bounty of archival footage and interviews with Peterson’s friends, colleagues, historians, jazz critics and admirers like Jon Batiste and Billy Joel. Immediately after the screening, Sammons Jazz Artistic Director and Steinway Artist Arlington Jones (who is another Peterson admirer) moderates a conversation with the film’s director, Barry Avrich, and producer, Mark Selby. Watch the film trailer.

Following the discussion is the screening of Omar Sosa’s 88 Well Tuned Drums, a feature-length documentary film on the life and music of the renowned pianist and composer. Born in Cuba in 1965, the multiple Grammy-nominee Sosa is one of the most versatile jazz artists on the scene today. He fuses a wide range of jazz, world music, and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original sound with a Latin jazz heart. The film, written and directed by Soren Sorensen, features interviews with Sosa and other respected musicians including Peter Apfelbaum, Gustavo Ovalles and Childo Tomas. Watch the film trailer.

The screenings are free, but reservations are required. You may reserve your free seats for one or both screenings or visit www.jazzdallas.com for more D'JAM events in April.