The Town Hall Presents Oscar Micheaux's Body And Soul
About This Event
Live rock/pop performance at Town Hall
About Body and Soul(film_score)
Oscar Micheaux’s *Body and Soul* (1925) arrives at Town Hall with a live rock/pop score, performed by Vernon Reid alongside the film’s original creative legacy. Made within the race-film circuit and introducing Paul Robeson to the screen, it offers a stark look at faith, power, and community pressure, framed through Micheaux’s independent production model. In 2019 the Library of Congress placed it in the National Film Registry, an institutional marker of its lasting cultural weight. One can hear the new score as a contemporary argument with the film’s moral contradictions, rather than a gloss over them.
About the Artists
Vernon Reid
Vernon Reid is an American guitarist and composer, best known as the founder of the band Living Colour, which blends rock, funk, and heavy metal.
Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Micheaux was a groundbreaking filmmaker and cultural pioneer whose prolific career spanned over three decades from 1919, during which he wrote, directed, edited, produced, and distributed more than forty films showcasing all-Black casts.
Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson is a dynamic force in the Rock/Pop scene, captivating audiences with his powerful performances at iconic venues like New York City's Town Hall. Known for his profound artistic collaborations, Robeson has shared the stage with luminaries such as Vernon Reid and Oscar Micheaux, bringing a fresh energy to every show.