New York Premiere of “Black February”

What better way to celebrate getting through another Monday than with a new documentary by Rooftop Film Fund grantee Vipal Monga? His first feature-length documentary, “Black February” explores the counter-culture compositions of Lawrence D. “Butch” Morris and screens at Anthology Film Archive Monday, April 2nd.

New York City jazz composer, “Butch” Morris, played a zealous 44 shows in the 28 days of Black History Month, 2005. An unparalleled undertaking, these events marked the 20 year anniversary of his invention of ‘conduction,’ an improvisational style of music composition. Beyond simply creating music, Morris’ musical works reconsider classical compostion with musicians improvising live sets after just one rehearsal.

Monga’s film tackles larger ideas of the creativity and formal musical notation, while simultaneously documenting Morris’ ‘conductions’ and the musicians who perform them. The documentary features interviews with influential members of the New York music community including, Henry Threadgill, JD Allen, Brandon Ross, Graham Haynes, Howard Mandel, and Greg Tate.

“Black February” has been hugely successful in screenings internationally and across the United States and now will do the same in its New York Premiere. Rooftop is proud to have played a role through our Filmmaker Fund.

Anthology Film Archive is located at 32 Second Avenue (at 2nd St.) NYC. Seating is limited, but tickets will go on sale at 5:30 prior to the 8:00 screening of “Black February”.