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books Brenda Jackson Brian H. Emtro film music new releases P. Diddy releases rhythm and blues Truly Everlasting United States

P. Diddy protege Brian H. and Jamia Alesia collaborate on ‘Truly Everlasting’ soundtrack


With the smooth vocal style of Tank or Tyrese, Brian H. (aka Brian Harris), became a TV sensation as J-Rome after his stint on P. Diddy’s reality TV show, “Making the Band 4.” Now, he’s aiming to make rhythmic noise all over again. He has teamed up with rising star, Jamia Alesia, to record the sultry movie soundtrack, “Truly Everlasting” (Emtro/$13.99). It’s the companion CD to the film that has just been released on DVD.

The Jacksonville, Fla., singers sang two duets, “One Love” and “I Think I Love You.”  Alesia did three solo tracks. The mid-tempo, “He’s So Fine,” is reminiscent of SWV back in the `90s. Her warm alto shines on the groove “The One” and she shows her sass on the track, “Changed.” Brian H. rounds the collection out with five tracks: the computerized “Beautiful Girl” and the aching jam, “Truly Everlasting.” There’s also a cozy acoustic version of the latter, as well as, the catchy love songs “Take It Slow” and “Imagine.”

Brenda Jackson, known as the Diva of Romance, is the best-selling African-American romance novelist of all time. She began reading romance novels to distress herself from her hectic job as an insurance executive and wondered why there weren’t more romance novels revolving around black people and started to write her own. She’s written 80 romance novels that have sold over 3 million copies and made her the top in her field. She’s now taken one of her most popular books and bankrolled the independent film, “Truly Everlasting” that is based on her best-selling 1998 book of the same name. 

In the story, a man named Trask and woman named Felecia who have hated each other since childhood are drawn together when Felecia’s son wishes for a father to spend Christmas with since his biological father is dead. When Trask hears of Austin’s unique request from one of Felecia’s relatives, he volunteers to be Austin’s dad for the holidays. Against her better judgment, Felecia relents and allows Trask to act as Austin’s father. Forced to be around each other for the child’s sake, the adults fall in love and the story takes on a unique twist that includes a protracted custody battle for Austin.



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AMC Theaters Deitrick Haddon film gospel music Releve Entertainment Tyscot Records United States

AMC Theaters extend singer Deitrick Haddon’s film ‘A Beautiful Soul’ another week

Grammy Award nominated singer Deitrick Haddon’s second film venture, “A Beautiful Soul”, enjoyed robust box office receipts in its limited engagement premiere this past weekend at 20 AMC Theaters in 11 markets such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Haddon’s native Detroit. Variety magazine calls the film, “a natural for young, Christian oriented aud[iences].” The film has done so well that AMC Theaters has extended the run another week to accommodate the public demand to see the movie.
 
“It was humbling to see a dream manifested this weekend,” Haddon says in a news release. “The fact that the film opened in theaters was a success; the fan support was overwhelming, and we are grateful”. Haddon’s co-partners echo his sentiments. “I am so happy to play a part in an effort that is helping to take the gospel message to the mainstream audience,” says Holly Carter of Releve Entertainment. “This was a small step to a big vision! To God be the glory!”
 
“I am excited about the success we are experiencing, not just with movie tickets sold, but with lives being changed,” says Bryant Scott of Tyscot Films. “This movie is having a powerful, positive impact on people, including those who have not been regular church goers.  To sum it up, God is using this film in a major way to change lives, and that’s what it’s all about.”
 
This movie comes on the heels of Haddon’s 2010 debut “Blessed & Cursed” which has sold over 100,000 copies as a direct to DVD film. It’s also aired on the GMC Channel and Showtime. Aside from Haddon, who stars as an R&B singer named Andre Stephens, the film also stars Harry Lennix (“The Matrix”, “The Five Heartbeats”, “Barbershop 2”) as Jeff Freeze, Robert Ri’chard (“One on One”, “Coach Carter”, “The Matrix) as Chris Scott, Lesley Ann Brandt (“Spartacus”, “Diplomatic Immunity”) as Angela Berry, and Barry Floyd (“The Game”) as Terrance Wilson.
 
Directed by Jeff Byrd (“Seventeen Again”, “Soul Food The Series”, “Kings Ransom”, “Jasper TX), “A Beautiful Soul”, a contemporary twist on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, is the story of Andre Stephens, an R&B superstar who has success, fame and fortune but spiritually has lost his way.  The film follows Andre after his “perfect” life is shattered in a brutal attack that leaves he and his best friend Chris Johnson (Ri’chard) clinging to life.  As he embarks on a spiritual journey that exists in a place that is neither on Earth nor in Heaven, Andre is forced to make a choice that could change his destiny forever.
 
Shot on location in Los Angeles, California, “A Beautiful Soul” was cast by Twinkie Byrd (“Jumping the Broom”, “Notorious”, “Stomp the Yard”) and features cameos by NBA Legend John Salley, Golden Brooks, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Bishop Noel Jones.  The film will feature an original soundtrack of music from Deitrick Haddon as well Kierra Sheard, and Faith Evans, among others. “A Beautiful Soul” is a presentation of Tyscot Manhaddon Films and Relevé Entertainment, in association with Mission Pictures International. The screenplay is written by Allison Elizabeth Brown and Deitrick Haddon.  The film was produced by Holly Carter, Kimberly L. Ogletree and Dominique Telson.  The executive producers are Leonard S. Scott, Bryant S. Scott, Jeff Byrd, Cindy Bond, Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, and Deitrick Haddon.





The film continues to show at these AMC theaters:
 
Atlanta, GA:
Southlake 24 (7065 Mount Zion Circle, Morrow, GA 30260)
Stonecrest 16 (8060 Mall Parkway, Lithonia, GA 30038)
 
Chicago, IL:
Crestwood 18 (13221 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood, IL 60445)
Country Club Hills 16 (4201 W.167th St., Country Club Hills, IL 60478)
Ford City 14 (7601 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60652)
 
Dallas, TX:
Grapevine Mills 30 (3150 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051)
Mesquite 30 (19919 Interstate 635, Mesquite, TX 75149)
 
Detroit, MI:
Southfield 20 (25333 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48034)
Forum 30 (44681 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314)
 
 
Hampton, VA:
Hampton Towne Center 24 (1 Town Center Way, Hampton, VA 23666)
 
Indianapolis, IN:
AMC Theatre Castleton (6020 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250)
 
Los Angeles, CA:
Ontario (4549 Mills Circle, Ontario, CA 91764)
AMC Burbank Town Center 6 (770 North 1st Street, Burbank, CA 91501)
 
New York/ New Jersey:
Jersey Gardens 20 (651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ 07201)
 
Philadelphia, PA:
Hamilton 24(325 Sloan Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08619)
Cherry Hill 24 (2121 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002)
 
Washington, D.C . Area:
Hoffman 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria, VA 22314)

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Amazing Grace BBC BBC Radio Candi Staton documentary film gospel Judy Collins London music Pete Seeger Sandi Patty United Kingdom

Artists come together for ‘Amazing Grace’ documentary

Written over 200 years ago in Olney, England, “Amazing Grace” is the world’s most renowned hymn and has been recorded by a who’s who of contemporary music. On May 8, 2012, BBC Radio 2, the United Kingdom’s most listened to radio station, will broadcast an original documentary celebrating the song and its controversial history. It airs at 10 p.m. London Time (5 p.m. EST/2 p.m. PST in the USA) and can be heard on www.bbc.co.uk (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h5xfy).

Grammy Award nominated soul singer Candi Staton narrates the incredible journey of the song’s composer John Newton, from 18th century slave trader to evangelical preacher and abolitionist. She also charts the song’s recording history and revisits classic recordings from the worlds of gospel (Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, Al Green), folk (Pete Seeger, Judy Collins) and pop (Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards).

The program features a rare interview with the legendary 93-year-old Pete Seeger, as well as fresh reflections on the song’s impact from artists who have recorded it such as folk’s leading lady Judy Collins, Jimmy Carter of The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tramaine Hawkins, organist Moses Tyson Jr., Beverly Knight, Basil Meade of the London Gospel Choir, platinum-selling Contemporary Christian artist Sandi Patty, and new generation gospel artist Bryan Wilson, who recently released to iTunes and Amazon MP3, “Grace, It’s Amazing”, a reggae-folk flavored tune that is loosely based on the old hymn. Others such as journalist Steve Turner; author Anthony Heilbut (“The Gospel Sound”); the British Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan; scholar Adam Hochschild and Archbishop Carl Bean also provide commentary on the song and its illustrious legacy.

Candi Staton is famed for her 1970s hits such as “In the Ghetto” and “Young Hearts Run Free”. She’s remained current over the last two decades with critically-acclaimed CDs such as “His Hands” (2006), her platinum party favorite “You Got the Love” and last year’s Triple A #1 smash, “Kandi”, with the British band, one Eskimo. Alex Feldman for Pixiu Productions produced the special.



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Dove Foundation Eric Benet Erica Gluck family family-friendly film GMC Television Image Entertainment music Trinity Goodheart United States

Mitch’s Movie Spotlight: ‘Trinity Goodheart’

Erica Gluck (“The Game” and “Girlfriends”), Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Benet, Mark LaMura (“Something Borrowed,” “One Life to Live,” and “As the World Turns”), Jennifer VanHorn (“The Joneses,” “All My Children”), Karen Abercrombie (“Strong Medicine”), and Willie Stratford are the cast of the film “Trinity Goodheart.”

“Trinity Goodheart” is now available in stores and by digital download. The film is a modern parable of lost love and regained family values. A kind-hearted angel leaves a pendent for Trinity Goodheart, 12, a precocious, street-wise young girl, who concludes that her long-lost mother must be in danger and needs her help. Trinity’s subsequent sojourn results in an effort to unite her disjointed family, and in the process, learn about the values of love, faith and forgiveness.

“Trinity Goodheart” premiered on GMC Television last summer and has received 5 out of 5 DOVES from the Dove Foundation. The film also received the Dove “Family Approved” Seal for All Ages. Only 88 minutes long, the film will touch the hearts of watchers as well as enjoyment of the music from some of the best artists in the music industry.

The film is executive produced by Rick Eldridge (“The Ultimate Gift”) and directed by Joanne Hock (“Redneck Roots”), marking her feature film directorial debut.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Review copy supplied by Image Entertainment.

Categories
film movies music Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa United States Wayman Tisdale

“The Wayman Tisdale Story” to premiere at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 5, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will be the host of the Tulsa premiere of “The Wayman Tisdale Story” at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 East First St. Upper Level in Tulsa, OK. 
“The Wayman Tisdale Story” is a documentary celebrating the life and legacy of Tisdale, who was a Tulsa, OK, native, three-time all-American, gold-medal Olympian, former NBA basketball player and world renowned jazz musician. The film is directed by Emmy-nominated Brian Schodorf and produced by Hunter, Seamons, Linda Mensch and Rahman Ayi. 
Doors will open at 7 p.m., reception/live music by Tulsa group WALLSTREET (winner of the Wayman’s Challenge held at the Depot in 2008) at 7:30 p.m. and finally, the showing of the film at 8:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. For more information, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8603, (918) 281-8605, (918) 281-8609 or go online to www.okjazz.org.

Categories
film jazz Louis Armstrong movies music United States world Wynton Marsalis

Silent film “Louis” to premiere with five-city tour in late August

                (Actor Anthony Coleman as a young Louis; photo credit: Peter Sorel)


According to a news release, “Louis,” a silent film directed by Dan Pritzker and starring Jackie Earle Haley, Shanti Lowry and Anthony Coleman, will premiere in the U.S. in late August with live musical accompaniment by Wynton Marsalis, renowned pianist Cecile Licad and a 10-piece all-star jazz ensemble, including Sherman Irby, Victor Goines, Marcus Printup, Ted Nash, Kurt Bacher, Vincent Gardner, Wycliffe Gordon, Dan Nimmer, Carlos Henriquez, Ali Jackson, and conductor Andy Farber. 

Marsalis will play a score comprised primarily of his own compositions. Licad will play the music of 19th century American composer L.M. Gottschalk. The group will perform live with the film in a series of special performances in New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit, and Philadelphia on August 25-31. Partial proceeds from the five concerts will benefit Providence Saint Mel School in Chicago, IL, in honor of Paul J. Adams III
 Shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond as a modern re-imagining of early silent film, “Louis” is an homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, beautiful women and the birth of American music. The grand Storyville bordellos, alleys and cemeteries of 1907 New Orleans provide a backdrop of lust, blood and magic for 6-year-old Louis as he navigates the colorful intricacies of life in the city. Young Louis’s dreams of playing the trumpet are interrupted by a chance meeting with a beautiful and vulnerable girl named Grace (Lowry) and her baby, Jasmine. Haley, in a performance reminiscent of the great comic stars of the silent screen, plays the evil Judge Perry who is determined not to let Jasmine’s true heritage derail his candidacy for governor.
 “The idea of accompanying a silent film telling a mythical tale of a young Louis Armstrong was appealing to me,” Marsalis says in a news release.  “Of course, calling it a silent film is a misnomer – there will be plenty of music, and jazz is like a conversation between the players so there’ll be no shortage of dialogue. I look forward to playing with Cecile. The contrast between Gottschalk’s music and jazz can be a revelation to those unfamiliar with Gottschalk’s music and jazz.”  
“Louis” is a companion piece to Pritzker’s “Bolden,” starring Anthony Mackie, Wendell Pierce and Lowry. “Bolden” will be released theatrically in 2011.
Categories
arts Darkwood Motion Pictures film Muskogee younglings youth

Darkwood Film Arts Institutes’ Kid Summer Film Camp produces movie


“Younglings,” a Darkwood Film Arts Institutes production, will be shown at Tulsa’s BareBones Script 2 Screen Film Festival and Conference in October.
“Younglings” is based on the story of five teens and pre-teens attending the school for young Jedi trainees who are saved from Anakin Skywalkers dark side demeanor and deadly light saber (“Episode III Revenge of the Sith”) by being shoved into the Allseer (a transport and time machine) by Jedi Master Daymor and sent 2.5 million light years away and 567 years into the future, landing on current day Earth in the city of Muskogee Oklahoma.
“We had a pretty diverse group of kids this summer, from ages 8-15. We wanted to teach them about loss, loyalty and change as we showed them how movies are made,” said Oscar Ray, the Institutes chief instructor and the creator of “Younglings.”
“The kids are all familiar with the ‘Star Wars’ stories. Some would be considered ‘Star Wars’ trivia experts, so we figured an original story with familiar characters would be a good teaching and training tool and a good way to get them to look at how they handle their own emotions. The story also allows us to engage them with visual and special effects.”

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acting Darkwood Motion Pictures film John B. Gill Muskogee Oklahoma Oscar Ray Stairway to Heaven U.S. Territorial Marshals West

Descendants of Territorial Marshals to produce movie


Direct descendants of U.S. Territorial Marshals that served out of the district court of the famous Judge Parker have combined forces to produce a movie about their ancestors. Screenwriter Lyndon McGill, great-grandson of U.S. Deputy Marshal John McGill and independent film producer Oscar D. Ray Sr., great-grandson of U.S. Deputy Marshal Rufus Cannon will produce the movie “Stairway to Heaven.”
The screenplay, which follows the exploits of John McGill’s last days as a deputy marshal is based around actual events and real people and is a dramatic and action packed account of life during one of the most dangerous times and places in the old West.
The story takes place in Oklahoma and Indian territory during the late 1800s and will be shot entirely on location. Perennial cowboy favorite Sam Elliott has been offered the part of John B. McGill.
“For people back east Oklahoma and Indian Territory was the true wild west and more western gunfights occurred in the twin territories than any other place in the old West. As a matter of fact more U.S. Marshals were killed in a 50-mile radius of Muskogee OK than in any place in the nation” says ShIronbutterfly Ray, co-producer and Unit Production Manager for the film. Ray is also the executive director of the BareBones International Independent Film and Music Festivals.
The story, considered a cross between films “Tombstone” and “Unforgiven,” is scheduled to begin production in the spring 2010.
Other talent being considered for key roles in the film are Ryan Merriman,(“Lonesome Dove-Comanche Moon”) and Jane Seymour(“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”).

Categories
film movies Next Monkey Horror Films Oklahoma theater Theatre Tulsa

Casting Call for “The Last Trick-or-Treater” by Dennis McDonald

Deadline: June 20, 2009

-Headshot required
-Performing resume and previous theatrical or TV/film experience
preferred
-Shooting to begin end of June / beginning of July 2009
-Talent will be contacted if a further audition is required
-There will be no foul language, blood effects or nudity associated with this casting.

***For flashback group photo w/ possible flashback scene – YOUNG ROWDY BOYS: Need
4-5 boys who look about 10 years old with a slender build and not too tall for their age…should have an early-1960s “tough and mean look.”

***For flashback scene with bit speaking lines – ROWDY BOYS (Alex, Paul
& Tanner):
Need 3 boys who look about 16 years old with a slender build and are
5’9″ or shorter … should have a mid-1960s “tough and mean look.” These boys are bullies and jerks and should be played as such if cast.

Please send your information to:
Scott Gaffen – (918) 406-0360 – sgaffen@cityoftulsa.org and
Dana Pike – (918) 740-3688 – danapike@atlasok.com.

For more information, go online to http://www.NextMonkey.com.

Next Monkey Horror Films is a Tulsa-based, multiple award-winning movie production company with three feature films in worldwide distribution plus short films, Internet and music videos to their credit. NMHF completes all of their projects,and talent will receive a screening party and copy of the film once completed.

Categories
festivals film jazz June Kyle Eastwood Mack Avenue Records movies music releases

Kyle Eastwood ready to release “Metropolitain”


Bassist/composer/arranger Kyle Eastwood returns on June 2 with his fourth release, “Metropolitain,” on Mack Avenue Records. Recorded at Studio Ferber in Paris, France and co-produced by Erin Davis (son of Miles Davis) and by Eastwood’s longtime writing partner, Michael Stevens, “Metropolitain” features pianist Eric Legnini, trumpeter Till Brönner, drummer Manu Katché, and special guest, French vocalist Camille.

For jazz fans who are familiar with him, Eastwood grew up in Carmel, California and is the son of actor-director Clint Eastwood. While doing his homework, Kyle remembers listening to records of jazz icons such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis. Clint Eastwood had been attending the Monterey Jazz Festival since it began in 1958, and when his children were born, it became an annual family outing.

Kyle’s projects include 1998’s “From Here To There,” 2004’s “Paris Blue,” and 2006’s “Now.” He has also contributed to the scores for six of his father’s films: “The Rookie” (1990), “Mystic River” (2002), “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), “Flags Of Our Fathers” (2006), “Letters From Iwo Jima” (2006), and “Gran Torino” (2008).

This release should be a fun listen.