THUNDER SOUL tells the true story of Conrad O Johnson and the legendary Kashmere Stage Band

It was afros and pleated shirts; James Brown and Bootsy Collins. It was the ’70s, and an inner-city Houston high school was about to make history. Charismatic band leader, Conrad “Prof” Johnson would turn the school’s mediocre jazz band into a legendary funk powerhouse.

Now, 35 years later, his students prepare to pay tribute to the man who changed their lives, the 92-year-old Prof. Some haven’t played their horns in decades, still they dust off their instruments determined to retake the stage to show Prof and the world that they’ve still got it.

This website is written and maintained by the filmmakers.
THUNDER SOUL will be screening at the Los Angeles International Film Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June!

  • Edinburgh - Friday, June 18. 8:20pm - Cineworld 3
  • Edinburgh - Saturday, June 19. 3:45pm - Cineworld 3
  • LAIFF - Saturday, June 26. 8:30pm - Ford Amphitheatre

For further Los Angeles International Film Festival details go to the THUNDER SOUL movie page on the LAIFF website.

For further Edinburgh International Film Festival details go to the THUNDER SOUL movie page on the Edinburgh website.

Other screening information will be published here when available.
THUNDER SOUL awards.

  • SXSW - Audience Award (Lone Star States)
  • Hot Docs - Audience Award
  • Los Angeles Film Festival - Audience Award
  • Dallas International Film Festival - Audience Award
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Kismet in Kashmere

“True musical masters are fortunetellers, truth-seekers; they see beyond the possible. Same could be said of teachers. Same could be said of filmmakers. This is the true story behind the coming-together of the documentary Thunder Soul, about the Kashmere Stage Band – a Houston high school jazz band – and the music director that led them.”

Kate Messer of the Austin Chronicle has written a wonderful article about the making of “Thunder Soul” and the legacy of Conrad Johnson and the Kashmere Stage Band.

Music - Off The Record

The Austin Chronicle announces that the Kashmere Alumni Stage Band will be performing at their annual SXSW Film Bash party at La Zona Rosa on Monday March 15th. They’re also running a competition to give away tickets to the party.

Kashmere Stage Band: deep high school funk from the late 1960s - Boing Boing

Hugely popular and wonderful blog Boing Boing have just done a profile on the legendary Kashmere High School Stage Band. Author David Pescovitz calls the sound of Kashmere “deep, brilliant, big band funk.”

Amazing new documentary Thunder Soul will inspire smiles, tears - HitFix.com

Drew McWeeny reviews Thunder Soul for HitFix:

“And did I mention the soundtrack? Good god, y’all. Jump back, make me wanna kiss myself. The Kashmere Stage Band was recorded extensively, both live and in the studio, and the film uses all of it to show the power of what these kids and “Prof” all built together. The film has made me go from having no idea who they are or were to being a believer in the power of the Kashmere Stage Band. There are two more screenings of this here at SXSW, and then my belief is we’re going to be hearing this title a lot over the next year, and if it turns out to be one of next year’s Oscar nominees for Best Documentary Feature, it would make perfect sense. This is exactly the sort of story that a non-fiction film can tell in a way that no fiction film can match, and it’s the charge of knowing that you’re seeing the truth that really pushes it over. I spent the last 20 minutes with a smile on my face and tears on my cheeks, and I suspect audiences will fall in love with the film as soon as some wise distributor steps up and announces the shocking idea that they actually like to earn money. There’s gold in “Thunder Soul,” and it’s the highlight of my fest so far.”

Aint It Cool News - Harry Knowles review of Thunder Soul

The legendary Harry Knowles from Aint It Cool News has reviewed THUNDER SOUL at SXSW, and loves it:

“For much of this film, tears streamed down my face. Tears of elation, hope, sadness and yes Triumph.”