The title references the 13th amendment, which abolishes slavery or involuntary servitude in the United Statesexcept as a punishment of a crime. The mass incarceration problem in this country is largely based around that, the documentary suggests. And it just made me think about what it meant to the performers, you know, to be at the festival. Like, I'm still trying to figure out, like, where their one is. The Black Fire Documentary is a story about an independent jazz label and its connections to modern music through Hip Hop & Neo-Soul; via artists that sampled or were influenced by Plunky/Black Fire (J Dilla, Madlib, The Roots, Questlove, Big Pun, KRS ONE etc.). The roster of performers included Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, The Staples Singers, B.B. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. Alternatively click here to read more about us. Running until Nov . QUESTLOVE: OK. Just over 27 years ago, the world lost Kurt Cobain. And, you know, it was also risky. Though not nearly as well known as the likes of other soul singers like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, or Nina Simone, Sharon Jones was right up there with them in terms of talent. 2.6M views 1 year ago Music festivals, like most cultural events, were badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, impacting both the smallest of DIY festivals to behemoths like Glastonbury. If he is alive any place in the world, I think he'll know that this film exists and will want to reach out to you. Purchase your tickets to any of their festival dates, year-round. The 2014 documentary Nas: Time is Illmatic not only dives into the themes, production, and legacy of the groundbreaking album, but also the artist himself and the real-life stories that were turned into songs like NY State of Mind, Lifes a Bitch, and The World is Yours. Fascinating and enlightening, you wont want to miss this one. Not sure yet? / 23 Taq. Of course, not having - like, it could have just started with I have the phone number of the Staple Singers. (opens in new tab) GROSS: The festival seemed to mean a lot to the people performing at it. And, even though the hardcore outfit that was Banned in DC and made a name for themselves at CBGB's were pioneers in their own right, even they were influenced by the 70s rock band Death, who broke up just as punk rock was becoming a worldwide sensation in 1977. We don't have the rights to play her performance. I realize that the inflation, you know, is different. QUESTLOVE: I'm like, I wouldn't even pay that to my opening DJ set. So it brought out my inner gospel preacher set thing. Now, I'd like to start with a clip of Gladys Knight performing at the festival. This PBS documentary series features Professor Henry Louis Gates, who travels to Africa and throughout the United States to provide a complete picture of the Black experience in this country. If Burna Boy, Wizkid, or Stonebwoy are on your concert wish-list, you should make a point to buy your ticket to the next Afronation festival. OK. The camera captures people who attended the festival more than 50 years ago, crying as they remember the power of seeing so many Black people in one place, celebrating Black culture. We'll hear from Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, B.B. So when you first started watching these approximately 40 hours of concert footage, what did you find most surprising or most exciting? For Questlove, The Pandemic Meant Embracing Quiet And Buying A Farm. GROSS: Let me reintroduce you here because it's time for another break. King. February Is Black History Month! This legacy (as well as the future of the cultural landmark) is explored in great detail in the 2019 HBO documentary, The Apollo, which combines archival footage and interviews to paint the full picture of the theater. There were also some police there. NmE0ZTdkOTYxMGVjMTgxNTk1OWYxNmFiYjEwYjZjNDIwY2Q4Yzg5MzcwZmEy A true testament to the human spirit, this powerful and empowering documentary could serve as a great introduction to one of the best soul singers of the past 25 years. GROSS: Well, look. And, through new interviews, he lets musicians tell heartfelt stories about what led them to the festival. And you didn't even know that that was for sure true until 2015 or so. P art concert film and part historical record, the documentary focuses on the massive Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, a celebration of Black history, culture and fashion that featured . And then Mavis Staples had sang with her family, The Staple Singers. So they have to share a microphone, which means that they also have to - like, what they're doing with their arms. Enjoy them and learn about the. Related: 120 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month: Freedom Is Never Given. ZjI0N2NkMGZmMTcwNmRkNDM5Zjk5ODBjNzUzYjgyMTUyNmFmMmYyNmQ4NWYx I mean, there are plenty of artists that got blackballed or dealt with for speaking out their political views. Oh, happy day. The Strength of a Woman festival is very similar to the Essence Festival but on a smaller scale. And so kind of rule No. And the church, you know, really wanted to, again, blackball them because it was as controversial - I mean, the same way that we look at Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B's "WAP" - that's how controversial the church felt that gospel singers singing in secular environments was, like, it was a sin against God. Summer of Soul is the directorial debut of Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, the renowned DJ, drummer, producer and bandleader behind hip hop legends The Roots.Questlove crams the movie with historic musical moments. Oh, I heard it through the grapevine. B. This is FRESH AIR. (opens in new tab), A lot of people like to credit Bad Brains as one of the first major Black punk bands. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. And because Rock, the directors and the writers of this film arent women, its a good reminder that representation is always important. This is FRESH AIR. He didn't even know. Are you ready to smash things and burn buildings? (SOUNDBITE OF STEVIE WONDER'S "SHOO-BE-DOO-BE-DOO-DA-DAY"). Fest dates are April 29 and 30, 2023. Festival: A Documentary (2015) Last Hippie Standing (2001) Music Is My Drug: Psychedelic Trance (1996) Spark: A Burning Man Story (2014) Woodstock (1970) My Generation (2000) Psytrance: A Way of Life (2014) Raving Iran (2016) This Was Tomorrow (2015) Under The African Sky (2009) It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004) So it was sort of like, hey, people, Jesus Christ is here right now, you know, that sort of thing. A wide constellation of stars turned up for the festival, which drew more than 300,000 people over six free concerts held in the space now known as Marcus Garvey Park. And his new documentary is called "Summer Of Soul." Related: Try Not To Laugh Along With the 41 Best Black Comedy Movies of All Time. And their whole disposition was basically like, you know, you must wear a tuxedo all the time. This annual Black music festival always provides a dope experience, with the artist lineup to match. This document is also amazing for the fact that - capturing a lot of artists sort of at the crossroads of their beginning and to the next phase of their life and - besides Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight and The Staple Singers who become, like, household names in the '70s. Attendees of this year's Visions of the Black Experience Film Festival will have the opportunity to screen dozens of new films during the event which kicks off Friday. "I want to make sure Black erasure doesn't happen during my lifetime and the film was an opportunity to work towards that cause." America to Me covers one year at the Chicago area Oak Park and River Forest High School. Celebrate the history and heritage of Black Music in America July 13-15, 2023, at this free festival Music Lovers, get ready for the 2023 Pittsburgh Black Music Festival on July 13-15 at Point State Park and Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh. B. Before Woodstock in 1969, there was another memorable music festival playing about 100 miles away, with all-star lineups including Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie . Check out our list of festivals where you can unapologetically be yourself and celebrate our culture. QUESTLOVE: There's excitement because, like, Sly wasn't even supposed to be on the bill. By Scott Roxborough Europe Bureau Chief For his 11th feature, the . Baby, baby, these tears I can't hold inside. You know, if you're in second grade and a bunch of your - like your white musician friends are playing, like, "Smoke On The Water," yeah, I mean, I have to investigate and study that, you know. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival featured some of the biggest names in Black music, but it had largely faded from history. Next, From the Horrifyingly Haunting to the Hilarious, Here Are 21 Black Horror Movies to WatchIf You Dare. And tens of thousands of people attended, mostly Black and brown. You will receive a verification email shortly. Martin Luther King Jr., who had been assassinated one year earlier. That was the big drama. Celebrate the history and heritage of Black Music in America July 13-15, 2023, at this free festival. We see her. But, you know, what didn't happen at the festival sort of also floored me as well, like with Aretha Franklin canceling and Jimi Hendrix and Luther Vandross. After coming onto the scene with his landmark 1994 debut album Ready to Die, the rapper also known as Biggie Smalls became one of the biggest names in the music industry, dropping unforgettable tracks like Juicy, Big Poppa, and Gimme the Loot, to name only a few. Why is - like, a white guy is the drummer in a Black group? GROSS: So you were unable to interview Tony Lawrence. It's Baldwin saying, As long as we don't touch these core problems around the so-called American Dream, we can't have a common future." Baldwin is magnetic in this film; if youve not heard the way he speaks or arent familiar with the ferocity of his intelligence and wit, youll find it hard not to explore all his work after the film. As he works the kit, clips of news reports and pundits surface talking about the crucial political and social issues facing Black people in 1969. Music fans at the lesser-known 1969 US festival The 50-year basement Questlove was speaking about belonged to Tulchin, who filmed the event. (opens in new tab). However, this documentary starts with first-time director Lolis Eric Elie, who just wants to repair his Sixth Ward New Orleans home after Hurricane Katrina. But unfortunately, what the festival organizers didn't know was that Jimi himself was going through his own transformative period, of which by the end of '69, in the last eight months of his life, he was kind of tired of being the novelty act of like this wild guy that sets his guitars on fire and does all the novelty things that made his initial audiences, like, marvel at him. So how do you get B.B. The Harlem Cultural Festival was filled with stars from soul, R&B, blues and jazz and drew more than 300,000 people. NY 10036. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. The hybrid festival showcased many premieres including 16 world, eight North American, 12 East Coast, eight US and 25 Philadelphia premieres. The Lovers and Friends Festival features a two-day program of artists you couldnt imagine would be all on one stage, let alone one room. Updated on: January 20, 2023 / 10:01 PM / CBS News. Losing you would end my life, you see, because you mean that much to me. We had a kind of a paper trail. He's our grandfather. Summer of Soul (.Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) The directorial debut of Roots drummer Questlove, Summer of Soul chronicles the legendary - and somewhat forgotten - 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that celebrated Black music, culture, and pride. Philip grew up in Louisiana (not New Orleans) before moving to St. Louis after graduating from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Because the coolest thing in the '60s and early '70s was watching the performers do steps, you know. Boy, take a good look at these tears of mine. And even after that episode came out, my family was still like, we don't care what he says. There was a problem. Free Black people and neighborhoods of free Black persons existed even before the Civil War. Nina Simone is one of the real standout performers in it. Theres a lot to unpack, so lets get started. (opens in new tab) The 7th Annual Black Music Honors, hosted by Grammy-winner LeToya Luckett and comedian DeRay Davis, took place in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on May 19 and will premiere. It can be frustrating to explain the Black experience in the United States, in part because Black history in America is comprised of so many different experiences. The fact that 40 hours of this footage was kept from the public is living proof that revisionist history exists," says Questlove. Stream Devil At The Crossroads: A Robert Johnson Story on Netflix. Black gospel music is often portrayed as uplifting, an expression of joy in faith. Create,Discover & Experience EventsFor The Culture At Eventnoire. King and Celia Cruz at the Zaire '74 music festival, seen in the documentary "Soul Power.". Tens of thousands of people attended, and some of the most important names in music performed, including Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and B.B. And you probably didn't know what to expect when you started looking at the many hours of video. But the skilled guitarist and songwriter has not been forgotten--partly because of . GROSS: Congratulations on the movie. And you realize you're seeing something more. Where to watch: Netflix and YouTube here. If you want some nostalgia and feel like grooving to artists you may not be familiar with, this could be a good choice. Attendees are pieces of art dressed in their most creative, fashionable outfits to match the sounds of the diverse musical lineup. Well you still have time to decide Where are you staying? OTZmNjdhZDczMWE1YjE4ZWQ5NzRjMGMxOWQ1MGQxZjI2ODVkMTkwZjhlODc3 I saw the segregation, the racial discrimination. ODZhZjU2ZDc1ZWI3ZDQ4ZGU1MjQ1YTJjODJjMGQ1YjVkN2I2ZWNlNWNjMjIy This is definitely a great festival to check out if youre in Europe for the summer or if London Bridge is on your bucket list. GROSS: Do you know if he delivered on his promises? QUESTLOVE: I would say probably the Sly and the Family Stone performance is probably the most shocking to watch at the time, because, you know, up until that point, Black entertainers were hyper-aware of their presence in the world, even if it was the professional sense. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "SUMMER OF SOUL"). And, you know, and I - in Marilyn McCoo - you know, it just opened the door because I realized that, oh, so this is sort of like when The Roots are performing and, you know, one night we're with Beck, the next night we're with Wu Tang Clan. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. QUESTLOVE: Pretty much, you know, a lot of it was just to jog their memory. ESSENCE Festival. The Strawberries and Creem festival was born from a popular club night promoted by two friends now evolved in an urban music haven. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's look back at the legendary 1969 concert events in Harlem that came to be known as Black Woodstock. Even though choreography has totally 100% sort of went into overdrive throughout the years, I marvel at the simplicity. A lot of people thought they were white because they were considered very middle-of-the-road, songs like "Up, Up And Away.". And how do you color - that used to be one of our questions - how do you color a sound? Questlove directs this breathtaking chronicle of Black culture in a pivotal moment. QUESTLOVE: Actually, one small factoid that I left out the film - which there was plenty - was actually the person that was supposed to perform with Mahalia was another protege of hers, Aretha Franklin. But, you know, as the story with most African Americans in this country really not knowing their genealogy or the history they came from. (opens in new tab) The last time you were on our show, we talked about how your grandfather, William Beachy Thompson, was a singer in the famous gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. During West Africas busiest season, dubbed Detty December, Flytime Fest works with Pepsi to curate food, beverage, and photo experiences attendees cannot get anywhere else in the country. clock CST_ QUESTLOVE: Besides the previous two Harlem Cultural Festival events, which wasn't hardly the size magnitude of the one that happened at Mount Morris Park, I believe that that answer would be no. The tape sat in his basement for about 50 years. How do you get Gladys Knight? And I think really probably no one knew what to expect. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. NTZmYWVkNTM0N2Q0M2QxYTI4NTdkZDU5ZDE4NGU0NzAyNjNlMzdhY2YyNWVm I'm Terry Gross. The documentary provides a look at her entire life, from the time when she hoped to be the first black American classical pianist; finding her way after those dreams were dashed; and her role as an artist during the Civil Rights Era. That kind of emotion surfaces often in Summer of Soul, as the camera captures people who attended the festival more than 50 years ago, crying as they remember the power of seeing so many Black people in one place, celebrating Black culture. (opens in new tab), It is hard to think of a label or entity in American music history that had as much of an impact on American pop culture as Motown Records, which launched the careers of Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and countless others. In the summer of 1969 cameras captured a series of concerts in Harlem featuring artists who would go on to become musical legends, like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Gladys Knight. It's just adding on and adding on and adding on. 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