A Note of Hope
Mike Hartnett filming "A Note of Hope" jazz benefit
We completed our second shoot for “A Note of Hope” earlier this month when we filmed a jazz benefit concert by the same name. The concert showcased the new jazz arrangements of traditional Negro spirituals (as the song form is formally known) by renowned jazz violinist John Blake, Jr., and included the talents of bassist Gerald Veasley, pianist Sumi Tonooka, vocalist Rosella Washington, and drummer Butch Reed, among others. The May 2009 benefit was for Covenant Mercies, a charity that supports AIDS orphans in three African nations. It was from this concert that the film’s topic came about — exploring the intersection of social justice and a music form that developed out of pain and suffering. The film will celebrate the musical history of these traditional spirituals while connecting the art to those today who can draw spiritual strength from the legacy of faith they have received in these songs. It was a lot of fun to do this four-camera shoot and we’re looking forward to the technical and creative challenges of similar work in our trip to Africa later this year.
(Photos: Carissa Gallo)
Hello,
Is there a CD recording of this concert, and a sample to listen to online? Thank you much,
Kind regards,
Holly Benson
Oak Park, IL
P.S. to Carolyn: My cousin, Lane Dennis, is someone you may know from Crossway Publishing in Wheaton, Illinois. I also have enjoyed hearing you speak on the radio this week. God bless you richly.
Holly, you are very kind to take such an early interest! And your timing is great. We’re working on a trailer about the film now and will hopefully have that and a song from the concert up online soon. We did make a recording of this concert, but it will take some time to produce and get out there. It will be worth the wait, I can assure you! It was a GREAT concert and I’m having so much fun editing the footage.
What a great connection with Lane, too! Crossway is a wonderful company and I’ve been grateful for them for years. Thanks, too, for your encouraging comments about this week’s radio interviews. They were a lot of fun to do.
With appreciation,
Carolyn