In February 2013, the Pan African Film Festival, America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival, celebrated its 21st anniversary, as it screened more than 150 films representing 34 countries: U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific, and Canada, with entries from Egypt, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania, Guadeloupe, South Africa, Kenya, and Brazil. The films include 23 documentaries, 13 short documentaries, 67 narrative features, and 51 narrative shorts.

Kamasi Washington was born in Los Angeles at the start of the 80s into a family where music was akin to breathing. His mother, an accomplished flutist, taught chemistry in high school, and his father, who plays with him in some concerts, was a professional saxophonist by night and high school music teacher by day. By two years old, Kamasi had already started playing the drums and the piano, and by seven he started playing the clarinet.

In the era when Hathaway was growing up, children used to aspire to become astronauts, a seemingly glamorous occupation that actually requires an unmatched application of ingenuity, intelligence, discipline and nerves that few can achieve or sustain. However, for the few that do, the payoff of traversing the spectacular unknowns of outer space or gazing upon the surface of the planet from the weightless confines of a space shuttle is well worth the preparation and pitfalls.

From Nancy Wilson (Vino Jazz Festival), to Barbara Morrison (Pips), to Oleta Adams and Poncho Sanchez (Barclay Theater) Jay Jackson has performed in shows with some of the biggest names in jazz. But no matter who he’s singing with, his soulful, rich jazz voice is unique and special. Jay trained at the prestigious LoDuca Brothers Music Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Performing in venues such as The Vino Jazz Festival, NOLA’s, Red, White and Bluezz, and the Hollywood Studio Bar and Grille, Jay’s voice is becoming a familiar treat for LA jazz fans.

In his very modest way, Campbell, an extraordinary vocalist, explains that he was surprised that he had captured the coaches’ attention. “I couldn’t believe that everyone wanted ME,” he exclaimed.

Independent filmmakers have so much to juggle. First they have to coordinate the shoot, and this is after a script is selected, cast, and the crew is in place.

You might not recognize his name, but I bet you’ve heard his music. Preston Glass is a songwriter and a producer who has written over 30 R&B hits and 5 top ten hits with artists such as Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, and more.

“I am a Christian, and the day I gave my heart to Jesus was the most memorable moment of my career. Music is the most important thing that I’m doing now. The more my relationship deepens with Jesus the more my music changes. Things come out of me musically that I didn’t even know existed.” –Freddy Washington Jr., Recording Artist

I have a general concept of what I want to create, especially as a whole series. But then for the individual pieces I’ll start with a piece of imagery or a drawing that I’ve done and just work with it. Especially when I do my drawings because it’s really free, although there’s no going back with pens. (Her latest series is created with blue and red ball point pens.) I build it up really slowly. It just somehow forms into something that I like.

Nowadays, for a new band to get presented a record deal, they had better do the hard work first—sell 200,000 units on their own, create their own fan base, get their own radio airplay, record their own music, and produce/finance their own videos. After they do all the hard work, then the label swoops in like a hawk and preys on them unsuspectingly.