Review of Thunder Soul (2010) by Richard D — 09 Apr 2016

A documentary about the Kashmere High School Stage Band. In the early 70's, Conrad Johnson lead the stage band from the Houston high school to world champions and international fame by holding the students to the musical standards expected of professional musicians and by incorporated cutting edge funk arrangements into the band's jazz repertoire.

As a result, many of the kids from this severely underprivileged neighborhood ended up avoiding the spiral of poverty and crime that surrounded them. The film follows the genesis of the band, as well as a reunion by many of the original members 35 years later to play a tribute concert to their mentor.

The music played by this band is simply incredible. At a time when Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock were considered to be on the cutting edge of jazz with their jazz-funk fusion, this high school band was playing similar material in competitions.

A real demonstration of how much influence one man can have when he really tries to help kids.