films and otherwise

The jazz and blues film is nearing completion. My editor in DC, Virginia Quesada is doing her best to take my footage, interviews, photos and otherwise and create something to be proud of. I've met so many wonderful musicians in the past 3 years and I've learned a great deal about our musical heritage here in KC. My wish for the film is that it can honor what we have here and raise some attention and money for the musical community at large. In life as in film, the sentiment 'give back' is how energy is best spent. Thank you to all the extraordinary musicians of KC and I truly I do hope I make you proud!

In other news, the My Power of One project continues to power up! We have been invited into two local high schools in KC to work with 300 students in creating a My Power of One community based project. JC Harmon HS and Paseo Academy have allowed us to inspire their students in becoming community leaders and contributors. Follow the blog postings on www.mypowerofone.org and join our My Power of One fan page on facebook.

MPO1 t-shirts have been requested in NYC, Michigan, Denver, Phoenix, & Seattle. MPO1 lapel pins are floating around Chicago (DeKalb), Macon, Brooklyn, San Diego and Branson. Get yours now on the web site and Join! DO GOOD

Jazz and Blues film

With the help of my 3 interns this summer we are madly working to supply Q Media with the necessary photos and B roll for post production. It is anticipated that the 60 minute film will be complete in September. I have one last interview to accomplish in LA with the great Mark Pender and the footage should be complete. Last week we filmed Trampled Under Foot finally at BB's Lawnside BBQ right before they left for Norway. They along with Washboard Jo were amazing just like everyone said they'd be. The culmination of a 2 and a half year commitment so far feels pretty darn good!

stay tuned.......

Jazz and Blues goes to Washington DC

Finally I'm turning the footage over to my editor extraordinaire Virginia Quesada of Q Media in Washington DC. Fed Ex will hand deliver 110 masters including dozens of interviews with some of our greatest jazz and blues folks of our times. Wish me luck! She and I have worked together in the past on my homeless film. We have a wonderful working relationship. It will take the entire summer to finish our post production and I hope to have a piece for viewing this August! 2 1/2 years of work and it's nearing its birth! Stay tuned. ...

Also the My Power of One PROJECT continues to ramp up. The launch is less than 4 months away. The calendar and route is being created by a planning committee. Victoria Bates is the executive director of My Power of One. She is the current President of Kansas City Women in Film & TV. Watch for ordinary people, like me, taking on an extraordinary feat for the better part of the next year. My crew and I will unearth some of the most inspired stories in our nation and bring them to you via our web site and other platforms.  Visit us at mypowerofone.org to stay in touch. And as I always say 'bring a friend'. 

Nanette

First sneak of Nanette's stilletos. Meet her April 1st on the webisode series appropriately named after herself!

Black and White jazz photos

These photos are captured by Evie Quarles.

One of my favorite sax players, Darryl Terrell

Happy New Year

Ok, so just home from London for a family vacation I am ready to make 2009 an exceptional year! I have sold out my interest in the animation project The French Fry Family. I am writing the script for the Kansas City Jazz and Blues; Past, Present and Future documentary. Post production should take through the Spring and then a film premiere will be scheduled. The My Power of One project is under way as well. I will actively look for an investing partner so that the launch of these projects will have a financial cushion. It's likely to be an amazing year!