This low-budget video has an appealing story: African-American boys in New Orleans decide to start a traditional brass band, learning to read music and ultimately winning over peers who are more interested in “urban contemporary.” The musicians want to stay true to their culture by playing traditional jazz but without being exclusionary (one continues his classical training), and in the end their efforts win them real self-respect. Unfortunately, R.E. Henry’s direction lacks the music’s liveliness, many of the actors (especially the adults) are wooden, and the scenario rambles (do we really need to see a group of adult women discuss the Oprah Winfrey show?). There’s an inspiring 25-minute short buried in here somewhere. 102 min.
