Washington Informer

The film follows an aspiring singer, ‘Jazz,’ as she gets chance at her dream with a lead role in a popular go-go band. The story intertwines the hope-filled, would-be positive intentions of the young songstress with the unfavorable consequences of her actions of those involved with her.

“Jazz in the Diamond District” is home grown through and through, from the movies main setting—the entire movie was filmed in D.C.—illuminating familiar faces like Ben’s Chili Bowl, H20, and the Big Green Chair on the lawn of Duke Ellington, to the actors, Clifton Powell (“Dead Presidents,” “Menace II Society”), Monique Cameron, Andre’ Strong and Erica Chamblee(co-producer)—all of whom are from D.C. and attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

“The mission of Soblu Productions is to promote DC art and culture, so it was only right to use local artists – from actors to musicians – to make the film. All of the local talent happened to be our classmates from high school,” said Christian. Of the primary cast, the only ‘outsider’ is Wood Harris (“Remember the Titans” and “The Wire”). “With Wood, my sister, Erica, actually wanted him from the start. He has an ability to be really subtle with his acting. He does a lot without actually talking,” added Christian.

The film’s soundtrack, which featured go-go music, was courtesy of UnCalled 4 Experience, a local go-go band along with LikeBlood, a local hip-hop group. The movie imparts the refuge of self-expression in microphones and live percussions by highlighting the music tradition from the heart of the city. Christian and production crew wanted to share this brand of music with a wider audience.

“Jazz in the Diamond District” is slated for four cities throughout the month of May, including D.C., New York, Atlanta and Chicago.