Soul Power / Sound & Vision

Occurring alongside the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, the Zaire ‘74 concert united R&B legends James Brown, BB King and Bill Withers with renowned African musicians including Miriam Makemba and Afrisa. Edited from over 125 hours of footage shot in Zaire in 1974, this verité documentary captures the festival in all of its glory and features outstanding musical performances alongside powerful condemnations of global racism.

Mel Washington is a soul musician and was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He has been writing songs since he was eighteen years old and believes music to be profoundly healing and that it should be shared with an open heart and mind. His life experience has been marked by the usual trappings of a traveling musician, the charm of southern religion, and even a stint of homelessness. He brings genuine warmth to conversation that evokes great storytelling from even a casual acquaintance.