Our African Roots, American Voices season-long focus on the blues includes four free film screenings from The Blues™ series, each with a post-show discussion. Originally aired on PBS and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, The Blues™ consists of several films that capture the essence of the blues and explore its profound influence on music and people the world over.
In Red, White & Blues, Oscar-nominated director Mike Figgis (Stormy Monday, Leaving Las Vegas, Time Code) joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Tom Jones, in performing and talking about the early sixties British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America. A series of interviews with key players of the blues movement is augmented with scenes from a live session at the famous Abbey Road recording studios. Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison and Lulu all improvise around some classic blues standards and the results are electrifying.
Stay after the screening for a discussion with Red, White & Blues Director Mike Figgis.This event is co-presented with Penn's Cinema and Media Studies Department.
Line-up subject to change.
Photo credit: Michel Verlinden
