Stormy Biopic ‘Thunder Soul’ On Horizon

It’s such an entertaining and inspirational story that touches your soul and awakens the human spirit in the way that only love and the power of music can.—Jamie Foxx

It’s already rumbling in the distance. Not due out until September, the motion picture “Thunder Soul” is already receiving a major buzz. Presented by movie and music star Jamie Foxx, the movie follows alumni of Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band. Years of victories against racial strife and overcoming obstacles mark the flick, which was inspired by many of the band’s members who return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for their 92-year-old bandleader. Conrad “Prof” Johnson was their beloved bandleader who broke the color barrier and transformed the school’s struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s.

Indeed, the 83-minute film (rated PG for brief “colored” language and smoking) is earning rave reviews. “Thunder Soul” won Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival and was also recognized with awards at SXSW and the Los Angeles Film Fest. It won Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Indie Memphis Film Festival and it’s also been nominated for an Indie Spirit award. It won the Heartland Film Festival’s 2010 Crystal Heart Award and was also nominated for the International Documentary Association’s Music Award.

The theatrical release date of “Thunder Soul,” which was directed by Mark Landsman, is September 23.

“Thunder Soul” tells the true story of Conrad O. Johnson, known by his students as Prof, and the legendary Kashmere Stage Band in Houston in the 1970s. The film follows the aspiring musicians and their charismatic bandleader as he turns them from a mediocre jazz band into a legendary funk powerhouse. And now, 35 years later, these same students are preparing to pay tribute to the man who changed their lives. Some haven’t played their horns in decades, but many will still dust off their instruments, determined to retake the stage to show Prof and the world that they’ve still got it.

During its time, the Kashmere Stage Band gained notoriety at numerous student competitions and music festivals (winning 42 of their 46 competitions), but they also gained success in the commercial music world as well. Count Basie once said of them that they were the best school band he’d ever heard.

Dubbed as a music documentary, “Thunder Soul” is being hailed as a heartfelt celebration of funk and the transformative powers of a great teacher.

Exec producer Jamie Foxx is presenting “Thunder Soul” to help bring attention to the Roadside Attractions release. “I can’t wait to share ‘Thunder Soul’ with the world so that everyone can enjoy this one of a kind experience,” Foxx says proudly. “It’s such an entertaining and inspirational story that touches your soul and awakens the human spirit in the way that only love and the power of music can.”

Even the story behind the story is touching. According to insiders, Landsman raced to Houston to get the film rights after pulling his car to the side of the road one day when he heard an NPR story about how the legendary ‘70s Kashmere High School band was reforming to honor their teacher. Landsman Googled the band leader’s name and went through some hoops to finally reach the man the kids called Prof. Insiders say Landsman scored a coup, as other filmmakers were trying to get the rights too. Initially, Landsman, who is an award-winning independent filmmaker, researched the movie as a fiction piece, but as he shot the unfolding story, it became obvious it would work best in a documentary format.

Jamie Foxx, a Texas-native himself and an outspoken advocate of music education in schools, heard about the film after its SXSW premiere and wanted to be a part of it and bring attention to it like Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry did for “Precious.” Foxx also serves as executive producer, along with his FoxxKing Entertainment partner Jaime King. Snoot Entertainment’s Keith Calder and Jessica Wu produce.

“Having Jamie Foxx on board with us is incredible,” said Roadside Attractions co-president Eric d’Arbeloff. “And his enthusiasm and excitement for the movie is palpable.  We couldn’t be happier that he’s mentoring the film in the same way that Prof mentored his Kashmere High music students to greatness.” Roadside Attractions’ credits include Chris Rock’s comedic “Good Hair,” Morgan Spurlock’s “Supersize Me” and the Academy Award-winning “The Cove.”