No other director is capable of romanticizing New York City like Woody Allen. His love affair with the city on film began in 1977 with Annie Hall but it was in Manhattan where Allen paid homage. From the opening shot of the film, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue builds from the introductory note of the clarinet and swells to a crescendo while the Manhattan skyline stands at the forefront. Allen embraces all its grittiness in lovely black and white. His appreciation for the music goes beyond its enjoyment, Allen is an extremely talented clarinet player as well. Barbara Kopple’s 1997 documentary Wild Man Blues displays much of this as the camera follows Allen through a European tour. Good news for New Yorkers, its hometown auteur will be performing at The Carlyle every Monday night till May 31st with The Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band.