Thunder Soul (2010)

Unleashing a vivacious melody of history, inspiration, and enduring camaraderie, Thunder Soul is a rousing documentary that takes you into the heart of the Kashmere Stage Band - a high school ensemble that evolved into a global sensation in the effervescent era of the 1970s. Guided by the magnetic Conrad O. Johnson, a visionary music teacher in a predominantly black high school in Houston, the band's journey is an ode to the transformative power of music. Substituting the conventional stage band standards with an exhilarating blend of contemporary funk, jazz, and original compositions, Johnson crafted a symphony that not only made the band one of the best, whether professional or amateur, but also instilled in his students lessons that would resonate beyond the music sheets and classrooms. Immersed in the vibrant backdrop of Afros, pleated shirts, and the pulsating rhythms of James Brown and Bootsy Collins, Thunder Soul is a chronicle of how a mediocre jazz band was tuned into a legendary funk powerhouse. And the rhythm never stopped. Thirty-five years later, the band members, even those who haven't caressed their instruments for decades, reunite to reignite their passion and pay tribute to their beloved mentor - the nonagenarian 'Prof'. Armed with their polished instruments and an unyielding spirit, they climb the stage once more, ready to show the world, and their revered Prof, that the fire he ignited still burns brightly. Thunder Soul is a testament to the enduring legacy of a teacher, the timeless harmony of music, and the indomitable spirit of a band that still strikes a chord, long after the final note has been played.

Thunder Soul is a documentary movie featuring Craig Baldwin and directed by Mark Landsman.

Thunder Soul is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee and Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Thunder Soul on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.