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S1 E15 Ruby Dee/Ossie Davis

News & Information

TV-PG

59m

Mar 28, 1972

Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, aided by the music of composer-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, give dramatic readings of the poetry of a writer named Robert Cornell Kaufman.

Season 1, 22 Episodes

season 1 (22 episodes)

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is interviewed.

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.

Frederick Douglass,

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.

James Baldwin - Part 1,

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

James Baldwin - Part 2,

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

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.

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".

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".

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Ruby Dee/Ossie Davis,

Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, aided by the music of composer-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, give dramatic readings of the poetry of a writer named Robert Cornell Kaufman.

Nick Ashford/Valerie Simpson,

The songwriting/performing duo of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson appear in a concert of rock and gospel music on Soul!

Shades of Soul! - Part 1,

Felipe Luciano hosts this showcase of Latin music on Soul! Features musicians Tito Puente and Willie Colon, accompanied by their musical groups.

Shades of Soul! - Part 2,

Female singing trio LaBelle and conga drum/bongo musician Mongo Santamaria, are guests of Ellis Haizlip.

Guests include musical attractions Exuma, Taj Mahal, and actress Cicely Tyson, star of the motion picture, Sounder.

Guests include Tony Award-winning singer Linda Hopkins and the musical group Earth, Wind & Fire.

Entertainment is provided by The Spinners and the Jimmy Castor Bunch.

Wherever We May Be,

Stokely Carmichael, the revolutionary leader who created and promulgated the now historic cry of "Black Power", talks of his current plans that will bring Blacks together on this episode of Soul!

Details

Soul!: The Complete Series

Music

TV-PG

1 Season

58m

This variety-talk show featuring African-American artistry, community and culture was also a platform for political expression and the fight for social justice.

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