The acclaimed music film documentary Immediate Family took center stage on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the AES Show 2024 NY, the world’s largest gathering of audio professionals, held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The special event session, titled “Immediate Family Film at AES NY 2024,” captivated attendees with an in-depth look at the iconic session musicians who shaped the sound of a generation.
The session, held from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT on the main stage, featured a stellar panel of speakers, including legendary musicians Danny Kortchmar and Waddy Wachtel, alongside GRAMMY®-winning record producers Russ Titelman and Niko Bolas. Additionally they were joined by prominent touring, session guitarist, songwriter and latest member of The Immediate Family band, Steve Postell.
Moderating the event was renowned filmmaker Denny Tedesco, director of The Wrecking Crew and Immediate Family. Tedesco’s work has earned critical acclaim, with Immediate Family winning 18 film awards and boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film also received a prestigious 2023 Hollywood Music In Media Award (HMMA) in the category of Music Documentary-Special Program.
Attendees were treated to exclusive clips from Immediate Family, which documents the journey of Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel, and Leland Sklar—session musicians who have been instrumental in shaping the music of iconic artists such as James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and many others. The documentary showcases their transition from behind-the-scenes studio work to forming their own headlining band, The Immediate Family, all while exploring their deep contributions to the music industry.
Produced by Greg Richling, Jack Piatt and Jonathan Sheldon, Immediate Family offers an intimate look at the band's rise throughout the 1970s and their lasting impact on the sound of modern music. The AES audience had the unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from the musicians themselves, as well as insights from Tedesco and the producers who brought this powerful story to life.
A Magnolia Pictures release, Immediate Family is available now on VOD platforms and streaming exclusively on Hulu.
