MIAMI — (Nov. 19, 2015) — PBS affiliate stations across the country will air a documentary produced by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation that tells the story of Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Charlotte, N.C., performance of the “Abyssinian Mass.”
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“Knight-produced documentary on Marsalis performance to be shown nationally” on Knight Blog by J.C. Perez Duthie
The documentary, “Everyone Has a Place,” was just nominated Thursday night for a Midsouth Emmy in the arts category. It follows Marsalis and Conductor Damien Sneed as they presented the inspirational and multilayered work for a sold-out crowd of 3,500 at Charlotte’s Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 2013. Composed by Marsalis to celebrate the 200th anniversary of an historic Harlem congregation, the joyous piece blends secular and sacred music – from American jazz to Spanish flamenco and the Muslim call to prayer – to reflect the universality of humanity. Sneed’s 80-member Chorale le Chateau complemented the orchestra in a performance that the church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Clifford Jones, told NPR was “exhilarating, powerful, inspirational – affirming of both religion and culture.
“Everyone Has a Place” will air in close to 100 PBS markets over the next two years, covering more than 80 percent of the U.S. population, with airings over the next month in San Francisco, San Diego and Flint, Michigan (See the December schedule below and updated at kng.ht/EveryoneHasAPlace.) Knight Foundation supported both the film and the 2013 performance, including providing 1,000 free tickets to the community. Miami-based filmmakers Marlon Johnson and Dennis Scholl, who have won five regional Emmys together, produced and directed the film.
“The ‘Abyssinian Mass’ is unique because it incorporates the listener. Wynton had a goal: When someone hears this piece, he wanted them to not just listen, but to be whisked away, back to the church pew, to feel the music on both an artistic and spiritual level,” said Sneed, a sought-after gospel artist and conductor. “With this documentary, we hope that viewers can again be immersed in this powerful experience.”
Sneed first met Marsalis when, at age 12, he performed at Sneed’s local church in Augusta, Ga. Marsalis became Sneed’s mentor, and the two took the “Abyssinian Mass” on a 16-city tour that included Charlotte and Augusta. After their performance, Sneed and Marsalis stayed an extra day in Charlotte to mentor students.
“Film is a wonderful way to build community, and bring people together so that they can see their communities and lives in new ways,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. “‘Everyone Has a Place’ shares the experience of a specific moment in time, that we hope will inspire people across the country.”
Upcoming November and December showings
KPBS, San Diego, 11:30 p.m., Nov. 23
KCSM, San Francisco: 8:30 p.m. Nov. 25 and 1:30 a.m. Nov. 26
WCMU, Flint, Michigan, 5 a.m. on Nov. 30
WCMV, Traverse City, Michigan, 5 a.m. Nov. 30
WCML, Alpena, Michigan, 5 a.m., Nov. 30
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
CONTACT:
Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, 305-908-2646 [email protected]