Shaking Ray Levi's Festival - 1993 - Roots, Blues, Jazz

Hey Syphilites,


This is a pretty interesting mini-documentary with some nice showcases of some legendary roots musicians. It has one-man-band Abner Jay (Myspace)playing 'hambone' in the first part. I posted about Abner Jay before here. The film is by Michael Johnson. Part 1 is particularly good. Part 2 is a bit too experimental for my liking, but who knows you might be into it. 


This is part 1: "Over three days in April, 1993 at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, TN, the Shaking Ray Levi Society presented an incredibly diverse music festival with internationally acclaimed artists. 

This is the first part of a 20-minute mini-documentary about the festival, featuring footage from "the last working Southern black minstrel" Abner Jay (his final featured performance), saxophonist and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient Anthony Braxton, and Kelly Hogan (the Jody Grind, Neko Case) with Bill Taft (the Jody Grind, Hubcap City). The Documentary is by filmmaker Michael Johnson." (Description From Youtube)





And part 2: 'This is the second part of a 20-minute mini-documentary about the festival, featuring footage from free improv violist LaDonna Smith (Trans Museq, String Trek), Catherine Jauniaux and Ikue Mori (DNA, Electric Masada), Amy Denio (The Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums), guitarist Davey Williams (Trans Museq, Curlew), cellist Tom Cora (Skeleton Crew, Curlew), Southern Improvisers, Caroliner Rainbow, the Shaking Ray Levis (Dennis Palmer and Bob Stagner), and saxophonist and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient Anthony Braxton.'



The festival was organised by the Shaking Ray Levi Society.The SLRS is 'a collective-run non-profit that supports, produces and presents diverse genres of music, film and performance art through festivals, recordings and the Internet. The SRLS is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of non-traditional artists and arts advocates who will continue to challenge local audiences and enhance the cultural growth of Chattanooga, Tennessee.' (From their Website)