Soul!

Season 1 Episode 3 - Frederick Douglass

1971 · 59 min

TV-PG

This program traces the roots of Black protest in America by means of passages from Frederick Douglass' greatest orations, dramatized by Arthur Bufghardt, interspersed with performances by drummer Max Roach, his jazz ensemble and the 22 voices of the J. C. White Singers.

Starring:Frederick Douglass Max Roach Arthur Burghardt

Directed by:Ivan Curry

S01:E01 - Muhammad Ali

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is interviewed.

S01:E02 - Mandrill/LaBelle

Mrs. Georgia Jackson, mother of slain Soledad Brother George Jackson, is interviewed by producer- Ellis Haizlip. Other show features include the exciting Latin-jazz sounds of seven man combo, Mandrill and the rhythm and blues of LaBelle (Formerly Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells)

S01:E03 - Frederick Douglass

S01:E04 - James Baldwin (Pt. 1)

Author James Baldwin is interviewed by the young Black poetess Nikki Giovanni in a special two-part presentation of Soul!, taped in London.

S01:E05 - James Baldwin (Pt. 2)

The second installment in a special, two-part program featuring James Baldwin.

S01:E06 - Bill Withers/Mae Jackson

Featured guest Bill Withers sings hit single, "Ain't No Sunshine" and other selections from his album, Just As I Am. In another segment, young poetess Mae Jackson reads from her own works.

S01:E07 - Miriam Makeba/Muhammad Ali

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, South African born singer Miriam Makeba and a three-man vocal group called the Delfonics, share the spotlight with guest-host Nikki Giovanni, who opens the show with her "Kidnap Poem".

S01:E08 - Jerry Butler

Singer Jerry Butler headlines this episode, together with his back-up group, Peaches. Highlights of their numbers are "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "Brand New Me".

S01:E09 - Morgan/Silver/Humphrey

An all jazz line-up on this edition of Soul! features pianist Horace Silver at the electric keyboard, Lee Morgan on trumpet and 22-year old Bobbi Humphrey playing the flute. They are joined by vocalists Andy and Salome Bey.

S01:E10 - Gladys Knight and the Pips

One of the great Motown acts of the past several years headlines the show, performing the hit, "I Heard It through the Grapevine", and other selections.

S01:E11 - Al Green

Highlights feature guest Al Green singing "Let's Stay Together" and author Verta Mae Grosvenor reading form her latest book, Thursdays and Every Other Sunday Off.

S01:E12 - Merry Clayton/Rev. Jesse Jackson

Merry Clayton, top back-up singer who emerged a star, sings "Grandma's Hands", "Southern Man" and other numbers. The Reverend Jesse Jackson also talks with host Ellis Haizlip about his newly formed organization, People United to Save Humanity (PUSH).

S01:E13 - Chester Himes/The Dells

Author Chester Himes is welcomed back from self-exile in Europe on this show devoted primarily to his writings. Actor Al Freeman Jr., who reads from Himes' autobiography, and The Dells, who sing several of their hits, join the welcome.

S01:E14 - Belafonte/Nelson/Poitier

Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte discuss their new film, Buck and the Preacher, as well as other topics, interrupted by interludes of song by Novella Nelson, Broadway star, artistic and creative director of New York's Shakespeare Festival Public Theater.