The Saints and Sinners of Jackson Square

The Saints and Sinners of Jackson Square explores the spirit of generosity of long time New Orleans’ street musicians. Full 4K color footage of performances on the streets of New Orleans and interviews with these musicians in their homes is contrasted with multi-camera black and white footage of a performance on a soundstage in front of a live audience.

  • Kenneth Terry
    Key Cast
    "Trumpet, Vocals"
  • Dwayne Burns
    Key Cast
    "Trumpet, Vocals"
  • Rickey Paulin
    Key Cast
    "Clarinet, Vocals"
  • Elliott "Stackman" Callier
    Key Cast
    "Saxophone, Vocals"
  • Mark "Tuba" Smith
    Key Cast
    "Sousaphone, Vocals"
  • Reginald Steward
    Key Cast
    "Trombone"
  • Malcolm Morris
    Key Cast
    "Bass Drum, Cymbal"
  • Dewon "Itchy" Scott
    Key Cast
    "Snare Drum"
  • Paul Kemnitz
    Key Cast
    "Guitar"
  • Michael Ward-Bergeman
    Key Cast
    "Accordion"
  • Edward Holub, New Orleans Video Productions
    Cinematography, Edit
  • Jon Vogl, Apex Post Production
    Sound
  • Aidan Dykes, Apex Post Production
    Sound
  • Bob McPeek, Heartwood Soundstage
    Sound
  • Edward Holub, New Orleans Video Productions
    Camera
  • Gage Stork, New Orleans Video Productions
    Camera
  • Susannah Darbyshire, Heartwood Soundstage
    Camera
  • Bill Carter, Heartwood Soundstage
    Camera
  • Eliza Goldstein, Heartwood Soundstage
    Camera
  • Michael Ward-Bergeman
    Director
  • Michael Ward-Bergeman
    Producer
  • Christopher Bergeman
    Producer
  • John Bergeman
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 28 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 26, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael Ward-Bergeman

Michael Ward-Bergeman is a passionate performer, songwriter, composer and filmmaker. He has performed extensively throughout the United States, South America and Europe.
On accordion, Mr. Ward-Bergeman has performed as a soloist alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, and many of the major orchestras of the United States. He has performed at the international TED conference and has been a visiting artist at Harvard University, Oberlin Conservatory, Berklee College of Music and numerous other institutions. Mr. Ward-Bergeman has been featured on the PBS television program Live from Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic.
His compositions have been commissioned by Carnegie Hall, Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and others. He has performed on dozens of recordings and soundtracks to movies by Francis Ford Coppola and others. His arrangement and performance of "St. James Infirmary" with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble appeared on their 2016 Grammy award winning album, "Sing Me Home."
His current work focuses on the traditional jazz brass band culture practiced on the streets of New Orleans. He has produced a recording of some of its masters released in early 2020, to be followed by a documentary film later in the year. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music.

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Director Statement

This film is a love letter to the New Orleans street musicians who welcomed me as one of their own from the very first time I began playing with them in 2011. This is despite my checking just about every box of Sesame Street's “one of these things is not like the other.” From the instrument I played (accordion), to my upbringing, my ethnicity, etc. They embraced me in music, freely shared their time, money, knowledge, spirit and food! How could I not make this film?

I have been making short films for over two decades to support and promote my work as a musician and composer. “The Saints and Sinners of Jackson Square” is the first serious, full length feature I have made.