Brothers Hypnotic by filmmaker Reuben Atlas

Brothers Hypnotic follows the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, a Chicago-based brass group featuring the eight sons of legendary jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran, whose music ties the currents of jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Reuben Atlas’ film follows the brothers as they make their way on the streets of New York and in the music business, but with stardom on the horizon, they must test their father’s ideals against their own brotherly vision.

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band by filmmaker Carol Bash

During an era when Jazz was the nation’s most popular music, Mary Lou Williams was one of its greatest innovators. As both a pianist and composer, she was a wellspring of daring and creativity who helped shape the sound of 20th century America. And like the dynamic, turbulent nation in which she lived, Williams seemed to re-define herself with every passing decade. From World War I through the Vietnam War, from the birth of jazz to the height of rock and roll, Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band, by filmmaker Carol Bash, follows a jazz icon who was determined to create in a world that could not see past her race or gender.

Join us in congratulating both filmmakers!

In the video extra below, learn more about Louis Mitchell, a young black entrepreneur in 1920 Paris, who brought African American jazz musicians to Montmartre. Mitchell formed a popular quintet, made the first jazz recording in France, and opened all-night lunch counters to cater to inebriated club-goers.

WTTW Reception for Young Musicians and Their Families

This past Saturday, Community Cinema hosted a truly one-of-a-kind event for the film YOUNG@HEART in Chicago at the Chicago Cultural Center. ITVS National Community Cinema Coordinator, Naomi Walker, shares her experience at the event.

Thanks to our wonderful partner the Jazz Institute of Chicago who teamed up with Community Cinema, WTTW Channel 11 and The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs to present a screening of YOUNG@HEART and a day of jazz greats both young and old at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The event began at 12:15 PM with a concert by Chicago Public School’s All-City Youth Jazz Ensemble. The young people showed their dedication, passion and talent and played a wide range of jazz forms. Shaunese Teamer, Manager of Community Outreach and National Publicity at WTTW, invited the young musicians and their families and friends to a reception after the concert. The Ensemble and their fans mingled with WTTW members in the beautiful rotunda at the Cultural Center. Our guest speakers all met at the reception to the delight of the jazz aficionados in the crowd. Jazz legends Fred Anderson, Mwata Bowden, and Willie Pickens have all known each other for years. Mwata and Willie have made regular appearances at Fred’s famous club, The Velvet Lounge.

L to R: Fred Anderson, WTTW's Shaunese Teamer, Mwata Bowden, ITVS' Naomi Walker, and Willie Pickens

Over 150 people braved the shopping hordes and the snow to come downtown for the free screening of YOUNG@HEART.

Shaunese Teamer welcomed the crowd and gave a hearty kudos to Independent Lens for its 10+ years of groundbreaking programming.

Audience members commented that the film inspired them to want to go
into show business and take to the stage. Here are some of their other
comments from after the event.

“I’m going to look for a local choir for my husband!”

“Made me want to join a chorus even if I can’t sing.”

“Their singing keeps them going. That gives them something to live for.”

“IT WAS SUPERB! Made our holiday great.”

L to R: Mwata Bowden, Fred Anderson, and Willie Pickens

After the film, the jazz legends came onstage and shared their stories of persistence, passion and their secrets to longevity. Jazz was in its infancy when they were starting out, so there was no one to really show them the way. Now each of them makes it a point to mentor young musicians. Willie and Mwata each spoke of the great contribution that the Velvet Lounge has made in giving jazz musicians young and old a place to experiment and continually push the envelope. Earlier this year, both Mwata and Willie participated in a star-studded tribute to Fred Anderson on his 80th birthday, where Fred’s compositions were performed by a large orchestra in Millenium Park.

Multi-instrumentalist Mwata Bowden speaks about passion.

Pianist Willie Pickens explains that constantly exploring such a vast art form keeps one young at heart.

Tenor saxophonist Fred Anderson shares his formula for survival.

All photos by photographer Fred Hickler. Thanks, Fred!

And a big thank you to our partners and to the folks who joined us for this day of exploring youth and maturity in jazz.

-Naomi Walker
ITVS National Community Outreach Coordinator

Ada Bricktop Smith, Mabel Mercer and guests at Bricktop's, a popular jazz club in Paris.

After World War I, many African Americans remained or returned to Europe, and over the next two decades, created an expatriate community of musicians, entertainers, dancers, and entrepreneurs, primarily congregating in Paris’ hilly Montmartre neighborhood. Based on the book by William Shack, HARLEM IN MONTMARTRE: A Paris Jazz Story looks at the impact of African American performers and musicians during the great jazz era of Paris.

HARLEM IN MONTMARTRE airs tonight, August 26, on Great Performances on PBS (check local listings).

Learn more about tonight’s broadcast and watch a preview >>

BILLY STRAYHORN: Lush Life: As Duke Ellington’s co-composer, arranger, and right-hand man, Billy Strayhorn wrote some of the greatest American music of the 20th century. But as a gay man in the ’40s and ’50s, Strayhorn had to lead a discreet existence, while Ellington played to thunderous applause on center stage. BILLY STRAYHORN: Lush Life tells the story of the unheralded man who changed jazz and popular music forever, maintaining artistic and personal integrity, while challenging prejudice along the way.

Check out the preview below:

BILLY STRAYHORN: Lush Life airs tonight at 10:00 PM (check local listings) on Independent Lens on PBS