AAAMC Speaks: Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, A Musical Genius in All Rights
The “AAAMC Speaks” documentary series is an educational resource that centers the legacy of the Black music community and highlights a wealth of materials available within Indiana University's Archives of African American Music and Culture. In each roughly 20-minute episode, AAAMC director Tyron Cooper interviews one pioneer, current industry professional or scholar whose work is connected to holdings at the archives. As “AAAMC Speaks” through this series, the collections come alive, and African American legacies are preserved.
The second episode features Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, one of the most sought after musicians in the United States for her versatile skills as a composer, arranger, pianist, organist, vocalist, artistic director, lecturer, producer, and clinician who transverses numerous music genres, from classical to gospel to jazz. A premiere African American composer, she has received many commissions and her works have been performed and recorded by major artists, orchestras, and ensembles across the U.S. Her extraordinary music gifts and ministry are also featured in worship services at churches in Washington, DC, Alexandria, Virginia, and her hometown of Philadelphia.
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Haley SemianDirector
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Ethan GillDirector
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Tyron CooperCreator
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Tyron CooperHost
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Haley SemianProducer
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Evelyn Simpson-CurentonKey Cast
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Marietta SimpsonKey Cast
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Ethan GillEditor
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Haley SemianEditor
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Haley SemianVideographer
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Ethan GillVideographer
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Sohile AliVideographer
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Ethan GillAudio Recordist
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Isabel NievesProduction Assistant
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Evelyn SanchezProduction Assistant
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Project Type:Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
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Runtime:25 minutes
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Completion Date:March 5, 2021
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Production Budget:2,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Indianapolis Black Documentary Film FestivalIndianapolis, IN
United States
August 28, 2022
North American Premiere
Official Selection
Haley Semian (Third from Right) and Ethan Gill (Fourth from Right) are part of the communications staff of the Office of the Provost of Indiana University Bloomington. Through the Provost office and with the help of their student multimedia team, they create documentary shorts that celebrate campus diversity, departments' achievements, and student excellence.
The Archives of African American Music and Culture director Dr. Tyron Cooper (Second from Right) partnered with Gill and Semian to bring his documentary concept alive called "AAAMC Speaks."