Carmen Lundy

Lifestyle

film directorial debut

After an enduring pandemic, the 42-year-old Festival returns to Hollywood Bowl with a new name, Host and a serious line up for the 2-day festival. Saturday begins with the introduction of their new Host Arsenio Hall!

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By: E.L. Johnson

Carmen Lundy, in her film directorial debut, shares an intimate view of her family and community as it recounts the origin, rise, and continued brilliance of the Apostolic Singers.

Ms. Lundy maintains celebrity for her Grammy-nominated jazz performance, theater, television and now Ms. Lundy extends that excellence to film. Ms Lundy ’s elegance balanced with her humble “down home” roots sets the tone for this film. Ms. Lundy artfully used vintage personal family video to create a sense of “home” as if one were spending an afternoon in the Lundy family home where love abounds against the backdrop of song and music.

This collective of voices sprung from the closeness of family and devotion to the church. Collaborative effort prompted the group’s planning and orchestration obviating the need for an actual director. In place of backstage drama so often associate with singing groups, mutual respect and love ruled this group which reflected in the music. This angelic sound prompted notice from neighboring

churches and organizations requiring the Apostolic Singers to travel during the dark era of segregation. Rather than resentment, the challenge of segregation prompted greater closeness and musical inspiration as they had maintain close quarters and pack their own food for the road trips. These singers refused to lament the dire limitations but instead their battle cry became, “pass the chicken.” Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 49

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Similar to segregation, the limitations of the COVID pandemic prompted closeness as Ms. Lundy used this time to reconnect with her family. Again, instead of lamenting, Ms. Lundy used the dire circumstances to create art, a documentary honoring the achievement of her loved ones. Not having a background in film existed as a minor detail as the “can do” Ms. Lundy simply learned film editing seemingly overnight because her desire to make a film required it. Ms. Lundy appears to be that person who would, with only a shrug, scale Mount Everest simply because she needed to get to the other side.

The film highlights the accomplishments of the group through the presentation of personal stories. As each raised voice contributed to the beatific orchestration of sound, so did the personal stories seemingly sing in unison to tell this very heart-felt tale. Each contributor exists as a hero in my mind deserving of an article of their very own. I could write a dozen articles about Ms. Lundy's accomplishment. However, I would be remiss if I failed to share the time I spent speaking with “Aunt Emma,” core member and pianist of the group, who celebrated her 81st birthday at the tail-end of the weekend. Aunt Emma seemingly represents the qualities the group exhibited: sweetness and purity, a throwback to another simpler time.

Upon leaving the theater, music continued to play not from the theater ’s overhead speaker but emanating from the heart strings tugging in my heart. Find this film wherever it is available as your afternoon spent in the Lundy family home will be time well spent. “Pass the chicken.”

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