Vann Walls Inducted in to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame

wvmhf logoOn October 24th, 2015 Vann Walls was inducted in to West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. Terry Adams, founding member of innovative group NRBQ, introduced Vann and he, and the band, performed at the concert after the ceremony. Vann grew up in Charleston, WV before moving north to Columbus, Ohio in his twenties. Other members of the Hall of Fame include Bill Withers, Johnnie Johnson, Connie Smith and many other important and interesting musicians. The WVMHF was created ten years ago and has an extremely strong educational component. We strongly encourage you to pay a visit to their beautiful web site: http://www.wvmusichalloffame.com/

Montreal, December 1st, 2014

WVMHoF logoThis morning a press conference was held in Charleston, West Virginia where it was announced that Vann Walls would be inducted in to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. This fantastic news means Vann will stand aside such luminaries as Bill Withers, Johnnie Johnson, Connie Smith and many, many other fine musicians. The ceremony will be held in October, 2015. Our film has been invited to play as part of the celebration as well as be part of a city-wide arts/music fest to be held there in late June. To read more about this non-profit institution and its splendid ten year history then please follow this link:  www.wvmusichalloffame.com

North by North East Film Feast

NXNE-film-laurel-2014_400x218Presented in partnership with Hot Docs, NXNE Film returns to the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema from June 13-15. Our film will play at 12:30 PM on June 15th, 506 Bloor St. W. @ Bathurst, Toronto, 416.637.3123.
This is the 20th edition of this important film and music festival and R & B is proud and honoured to have been invited.
C U there or be square!

FILM PREMIERE: Vann “Piano Man” Walls: The Spirit of R&B

logo_festivalMontreal, Tuesday, October 15, 2013– Mate & Orchard Productions Inc. is proud to announce the world premiere of Vann “Piano Man” Walls: The Spirit of R&B at the 42nd Festival du nouveau cinéma. Steven Morris’ feature-length documentary about rhythm and blues pioneer Vann “Piano Man” Walls is in competition as part of the “Focus” section.

Vann “Piano Man” Walls: The Spirit of R & B is a film for anyone interested in Rhythm and Blues, the father of Rock and Roll. Harry Vann, alias Vann “Piano Man” Walls, was one of its pioneers. He was the East Coast’s finest Rhythm and Blues pianist, became composer, arranger and orchestra leader at Atlantic Records from 1949 to 1955, came to Montreal and lived happily ever after in obscurity… until a fateful night in 1990.

That evening, with Dr. John the Night Tripper, led to a series of events, starting with the director befriending Vann Walls at McGill University, which eventually culminated in the film being launched a full twenty-three years later.

The documentary follows Vann and several of his peers, including musicians Dr. John, Ry Cooder, Ruth Brown– the original “Queen of R&B,” Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, legendary record producer Jerry Wexler and more, as it wades through his adventure of musical history and performance.

From New York City to Montreal, from Boston to Sarasota, the viewer takes an intimate voyage in to the studio as Vann produces the final album of a career that spanned more than sixty-five years. Wrapped around this recording project is the story of Vann’s fascinating life and his lasting contribution to a musical form now heard all over the world.

Screenings:

October 15, 2013: 9pm at Cineplex Odéon Quartier Latin

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October 18, 2013: 3pm at Cinema du Parc