Join us for the premiere of the new musical documentary In Song and Spirit.

Conceived by harpist Dr. Ashley Jackson, this film weaves together excerpts from Harriet Jacobs's memoir Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl* with stories of Jackson's own family history and performances of African American spirituals while exploring themes of migration, black womanhood, and the empowering role of collective memory in the preservation of African American culture.

Directed and filmed by Malik Isasis, this musical documentary features vocalist Freddie June with Ashley Jackson on harp. This exciting new piece will showcase live performances of the spirituals Deep River, I'm Troubled in Mind, and The Angels Have Changed My Name, arranged by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and transcribed by Dr. Jackson.

The film will premiere for free on our Facebook page and here on our YouTube channel.

We hope you will also join us for the post-premiere Talk Back with the filmmaker Malik Isasis, harpist Ashley Jackson, and vocalist Freddie June, moderated by The Harlem Chamber Players' founder and director Liz Player.

Schedule of Events:

7:00PM-7:25PM : Premiere on Facebook and YouTube

7:30PM-8:30PM : Talk Back Event on Zoom

In order to keep our programs free and affordable, especially during this pandemic, we need your support. We ask that you please make a meaningful donation to join this intimate conversation, whether it be $5, $15, $50 or $100.

*The memoir Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was part of Arturo Schomburg's orginal collection of items he sold to the New York Public Library. You may learn more about Mr. Schomburg and his collection on the NYPL site here.