(Over 1,100 attended the premiere of “FUNKJAZZ KAFÉ: DIARY OF A DECADE”. Photo: Troy Strong)

  Date: September 23rd

City: Cleveland, OH

Venue: Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (Official Selection)

 

PRODUCED, WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY JASON ORR

for FunkJazz Kafé/ Life Arts Films

Movie narrated by CHUCK D

This award-winning film is the story of a cultural legend as told by the innovators of an important, and in some cases overlooked, era in Black culture. It begins with a statement that says a lot, “You will always know the condition of a people by what is reflected in their music!” then proceeds to span through the late 1980′s to the early 2000′s.  This story goes deep into the fabric of soul music, it’s definitions, it’s pioneers, it’s offspring, it’s movements, the challenges with the “mainstream” industry, how technology leveled the playing field and the evolution of the FunkJazz Kafé Arts & Music Festival, a music and artistic renaissance movement born out of Atlanta’s diverse musical and cultural arts heritage. The film covers the decade when Atlanta’s underground music scene became established on the world stage and a new generation of soul singers and musicians emerged. FunkJazz Kafé:Diary Of A Decade (The Story Of A Movement) also explores the question of how we got to live soul bands being non-existing in the commercial music landscape of the 21st century when there once was a plethora of soul and R&B bands since the creation of recorded music.

Appearances by: Cornel West, Dick Gregory, Erykah Badu, Cee Lo Green, Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Common, Roy Ayers, Jamie Foxx, George Clinton, Janelle Monae, Doug E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Meshell NdegeOcello, Raphael Saadiq, Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), Larry Mizell (Mizell Bros.), Joi Gilliam, Dallas Austin, Lil John Roberts, Goodie Mob, Omar Lye-Fook, MC Lyte,   Jamal Ahmad, Anthony David, Ray Murray (Organized Noize), N’Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies), Algebra Blessett, LeRonde Williams, Kevin Powell, Loose Ends, Bilal, Dionne Farris, Van Hunt, Khiry Simmon, Eric Roberson, Donnie, Bone Crusher, Sticman (Dead Prez), DJ Kemit and Speech (Arrested Development).

 

Within the film there are sections that inspire interactive communication with the film itself! Especially on Doug E. Fresh’ part in the film! So we often host screenings that enhance the film experience by adding elements utilized at our music festival when applicable. Flag waver at entrance, cocktail reception, DJ with a small band, visual artists creating on the spot, visual projections, inspiring Q&As and on some occasions a meet and greet with some of the cast of the film!

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(Below: “FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade” SOLD OUT at Brooklyn Academy of Music NYC!)

 

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Contact us at innovators@funkjazzkafe.com for screenings at colleges, art centers and museums to spark cultural, historical and educational dialogue on music with “FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade” writer & director, Jason Orr in your city!

(Click image above to read the Rolling Out Magazine article)

INTERVIEW VIDEOS ON THE FILM

FOX 5 – Washington, DC

FOX 32 – Good Day Chicago

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See reviews on “FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade (The Story Of A Movement) below:

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[CLICK ON IMAGES TO READ REVIEW]

 IndieWire Review

 

Blues & Soul Magazine Review

 

MOVIE REVIEW “FunkJazz Kafe:Diary Of A Decade”: Diary of a Decade – Movie Review – By SentAsha – www.funkjazzkafe.com

 

Total Eclipse Magazine: 

 

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Click on the dates below to read about our previous screenings:

SCREENING CITIES:

• Atlanta- July 14, 2011 – The Rialto Theater – National Black Arts Festival (SOLD OUT) 
• Atlanta- July 15, 2011 – The Rialto Theater – National Black Arts Festival
• Los Angeles Screening – Pan African Film Festival 2012 (Official Selection)
• Atlanta Film Festival 2012 (Official Selection)
• San Francisco Black Film Festival (Official Selection) - June 16th (SOLD OUT) 
• Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (Official Selection) – June 22, 2012 -
• Detroit, MI – July 28, 2012, -Charles H. Wright Museum General Motors Theater
  
• Philadelphia, PA – Aug. 4, 2012 -BlackStar Film Festival – International House   (SOLD OUT)
• Atlanta, GA – September 22, 2012 – Atlanta International DocuFest Film Festival – Goat Farm Arts Center 
• Dallas, TX – Saturday, October 13, 2012 – The Black Academy of Arts and Letters
• Seattle, WA – Saturday, October 27, 2012 – Northwest Film Forum /Earshot Jazz Film Festival (SOLD OUT)
• Seattle, WA – Sunday, October 28, 2012 – Northwest Film Forum /Earshot Jazz Film Festival
• St. Lucia, St. Marteen and Antigua – Oct. 20 – 28, 2012 – 6th annual Capitol Jazz SuperCruise
• Atlanta, GA – Nov. 7, 2012 – The Plaza Theater – Grammy Screening (SOLD OUT)
• Charlotte, NC – Thursday, November 15, 2012 – The Neighborhood Theater
• New York, NY – February 16, 2013 – Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) – New Voices in Black Cinema Film Festival (SOLD OUT)
  
• Atlanta, GA – April 4, 2013 – The Plaza Theater (SOLD OUT)
• Seattle, WA – April 20, 2013 – 10th Annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
• Atlanta, GA – April 23, 2013 - Ga State University School Of Music and Intercultural Relations
• Oakland, CA – April 30, 2013 – New Parkway Theater
• Washington, DC – May 30, 2013 – The Howard Theater – 9pm
• Atlanta, GA –  July 12, 2013 – Southwest Arts Center (SOLD OUT)
  
• New York, NY – Wednesday, July 31, 2013 – Lincoln Center – “Sound + Vision” Film Series
  
• St. Louis, MO – September 19, 2013 – Missouri History Museum (SOLD OUT)
• Montgomery, Al – Alabama State University  – Friday, August 23, 2013
• Montgomery, Al – 11th Annual ASU Black Film Festival – Saturday, August 24, 2013
• Atlanta, GA - Inaugural FJK Documentary Film Festival + Music Conference -  Oct. 5, 2013 – Southwest Arts Center (SOLD OUT)
  
• Pittsburgh, PA – Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Blackstar Film Festival (Pittsburgh Edition) – Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
  
• Atlanta, GA - FunkJazz Kafe Arts & Music Festival 20th Year Anniversary Pt. 1 -  July 24, 2014 – Porter Sanford Arts Center
• Nashville, TN - Culture Fest -  Aug. 28, 2014 – Tennessee State Performing Arts Center
• Atlanta, GA - 2nd Annual FJK Documentary Film Festival + Music Conference -  Nov. 22, 2014 – Southwest Arts Center (SOLD OUT)
• Atlanta, GA –  March 27, 2015 – Clark Atlanta University
  
• Detroit, MI –  November 11, 2015 – Wayne State University
  
• Atlanta, GA –  May 19, 2016 – Gallery 72
• Chicago, IL – Sept. 20, 2016 – The Promontory
  
• Fort Valley, GA – Oct. 27, 2016 – Fort Valley State University
• Chicago, IL – Nov. 11, 2016 – The Promontory
• Atlanta, GA – Feb. 22, 2017 – The Plaza Theater (SOLD OUT)
• Dallas, TX – April 28, 2017 – The Texas Theatre
  
• New Orleans, LA – June 29, 2017 – Carver Theater
  
• Cleveland, OH, – Sept. 23, 2017
• Ft. Lauderdale, FL – TBA – Sept. 2017
  

Here are some “Behind The Scene” images while making “FunkJazz Kafé: Diary of A Decade (The Story Of A Movement)” over the years of interviewing our large cast.

 

PHOTO DESCRIPTION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND LEFT TO RIGHT: ROW ONE: Director, Jason Orr interviewing Cornel West (2011) ROW TWO: Andre 3000 interview (2001), Chuck D meets Omar (2001), Director Jason Orr with Common and Erykah Badu (2000) ROW THREE: Director, Jason Orr talking to Dick Gregory (2011), Bilal performing at FunkJazz Kafe Arts & Music Festival (2004) ROW FOUR: Director, Jason Orr with George Clinton (2011), Jason Orr interviewing Public Enemy (2001) ROW FIVE: Loose Ends interview (2000), Joi Gilliam interview (2010) ROW SIX: Jamal Ahmad interview (2010), Jason Orr at Anthony David interview (2010) ROW SEVEN: Van Hunt Interview (2001), Kebbi Williams at FunkJazz Kafe Arts & Music Festival (2001) ROW EIGHT: MC Lyte interview (2004), Meshell Ndegeocello at FunkJazz Kafe Arts & Music Festival (2003) ROW NINE: Raphael Saadiq performing at FunkJazz Kafe Arts & Music Festival (2001), Omar interview (2001) ROW TEN: Director, Jason Orr, interviewing Erykah Badu (2000), Janelle Monae interview with direcor, Jason Orr (2007) ROW ELEVEN: Jamie Foxx and director, Jason Orr at a backstage interview (2001), Cee Lo Green interview (2010)