Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

When, in the summer of 1969, Woodstock was happening on a farm in Bethel, New York, the Harlem Cultural Festival was taking place in Manhattan. Over the course of six weeks, it featured the leading „black” musicians of the time, in tribute to cultural heritage, „Black Pride” and unity in tough times. The musicians included Nina Simone, BB King, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Chuck Jackson. There are probably as many stories and anecdotes associated with this event as in the case of Woodstock. For over half a century, the record of this unique festival of music referred to as the „Black Woodstock” remained in a TV producer's basement and only recently saw the light of day, due in part to the efforts of the tireless Questlove. As the „Guardian” wrote, There's a moment so striking and rich with power at the center of Ahmir „Questlove” Thompson's ‘Summer of Soul’ (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) that, while watching it, I actually forgot to breathe. It's hard not to agree. Summer of Soul won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Award at the Sundance Festival.