Celebrating Black Music Month

Jimi Hendrix’s explosive interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” from the Woodstock Music Festival remains one of the most definitive moments in rock history. “Live at Woodstock” makes it and Hendrix’s other early-morning performances from August 18, 1969 come alive in resplendent fashion. Part of the Coda Gone Too Soon Theme.

Aretha Franklin seldom traveled to Europe, which makes the opportunity to see the Queen of Soul’s performance from Sweden on May 8, 1968—just months after she released her “Lady Soul” album—all the more invaluable. Backed by her full band and ensemble, including Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston’s mother), the 26-year-old singer makes you feel every note.

In March 1971, dozens of African-American musicians travelled from NYC to Ghana to perform at the Soul to Soul concert. Ultimately, the journey was about their personal roots, ancestral homeland and history. Featuring Wilson Pickett, Staple Singers, Ike & Tina Turner and more, this documentary captures the story of Black American souls connecting with Black West African souls through music.

Recorded on Luther Vandross’ 1994-95 world tour, “Always and Forever: An Evening of Songs at the Royal Albert Hall” captures the legendary singer at his most smooth and sensuous, and features greatest hits as well as favorites from his covers album, “Songs.”

Buddy Guy journeys from rural poverty in Louisiana to landing at Chess Records in Chicago, where he soon became a superstar. Features never-before-seen archival footage from every phase of the blues great’s career. Part of the Coda Groundbreakers Theme.

Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Joe Higgs lead the Wailers in a seminal performance filmed with four cameras at the Capitol Records Tower on October 24, 1973. Meticulously restored and long believed lost, the previously unseen live session documents the reggae legends at a crucial moment in their career. 

Filmed with extraordinary detail and care, Gnarls Barkley delivers an introspective performance on Nigel Godrich’s “From the Basement” series and, in the process, gives a second life to the smash “Crazy.”

Miles Davis’ second great quintet (featuring Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums) stormed across Europe in 1967. Watch two unforgettable concerts from the legendary tour that highlight the band’s telepathic genius and visually document the indelible imprint the group left on jazz. A Coda Cornerstone Collection.

This performance showcases the legendary soul singer in concert in 1981 performing some of his best-known songs from the groundbreaking 1971 album, “What’s Going On.” The concert captures Marvin Gaye at a transitional moment in his career when he was no longer on Motown Records and was a year away from making his comeback with his No. 1 hit, “Sexual Healing.” Part of the Coda Gone Too Soon Theme.

Jazz Icons: John Coltrane provides an epic 95-minute overview of a true giant of 20th-century music. Three separate shows reveal Coltrane’s ascending creative arc from hard bop innovator in 1960 to consummate bandleader in 1961 to unrivalled jazz visionary in 1965. Part of the Coda Gone Too Soon Theme.

Jazz Icons: Charles Mingus showcases three exceptional concerts performed in April 1964. Recorded within and eight-day span, the three concerts showcase Mingus’s visionary leadership and the band’s incredible depth and diversity with unique performances and arrangements of classics including “So Long Eric” and the groundbreaking “Meditations On Integration”.

Originally filmed for German public television, this concert film presents a reinvigorated Muddy Waters leading an exceptional band through a set of blues originals and covers on October 29, 1976 — less than a month before he’d appear with The Band for “The Last Waltz.” Also features a guest performance by Junior Wells.

Blues singer-guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram performs live from 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN, on September 20, 2020.

This concert film presents Albert King in top form, and tearing through signature songs such as “The Sky Is Crying” and “Born Under a Bad Sign.” The program also features an in-depth interview with the legendary guitarist.

In June 1967, Jimi Hendrix returned to his native country and transformed the cultural, musical and fashion landscapes. Punctuated by Hendrix lighting his instrument on fire, the U.S. debut performance of the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey Pop Festival propelled the guitarist to the top ranks of international rock royalty. Part of the Coda Groundbreakers Theme.

The Stax/Volt Revue featured one of the greatest lineups of soul and R&B artists to ever grace the stage. This film captures the tour and includes stunning performances by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, the Mar-Keys and Booker T. & the MGs.