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 awards.

  • SXSW - Audience Award (Lone Star States)
  • Heartland Film Festival - Crystal Heart Award
  • Hot Docs - Audience Award
  • Los Angeles Film Festival - Audience Award
  • Dallas International Film Festival - Audience Award
  • Aspen Film Festival - Audience Award
  • Indie Memphis - Best Documentary Feature
  • Pan African Film Festival - Best Documentary Feature
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The Kashmere Stage Band travel to Okinawa, Japan

The packed auditorium waits with anticipation as Conrad “Prof” Johnson approaches the stage, because the Kashmere Stage Band is about to perform.

The Kashmere Stage Band poses with their guitars as their weapons of funk.

THUNDER SOUL to Premiere at SXSW 2010

THUNDER SOUL will be premiering this March at the prestigious South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin! We have three screenings scheduled:

  • Saturday, March 13. 11:00am - Paramount Theatre
  • Monday, March 15. 6:45pm - Alamo Lamar
  • Friday, March 19. 2:30pm - Paramount Theatre

You can find further information on the official SXSW page for “Thunder Soul”.

You can purchase tickets for the March 13 premiere at the Paramount Theatre website.

We will be announcing further SXSW special events and updates in the coming weeks.

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 documentary Thunder Soul to premiere at SXSW | Stones Throw Records

Stones Throw Records, the label that re-issued the awesome Kashmere Stage Band funk records, has announced the THUNDER SOUL premiere on their official blog.

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.”

DJ Shadow Featured in "Thunder Soul"

The influential and amazing DJ Shadow has given “Thunder Soul” a shout-out on his official website. Shadow appears in the film, along with his iconic track “Holy Calamity” which samples the Kashmere Stage Band’s song “Kashmere.” Obviously we’re a huge fan of Shadow’s work, and are flattered that he’s so passionate about our film.

This is the Official Awesome SXSW Teaser Poster for “Thunder Soul” as designed by the crazy talents at Concept Arts.

Here is the screening schedule for “Thunder Soul” at SXSW.

  • Saturday, March 13. 11:00am - Paramount Theatre
  • Monday, March 15. 6:45pm - Alamo Lamar
  • Friday, March 19. 2:30pm - Paramount Theatre

The Kashmere Reunion Stage Band will also be performing live on Monday, March 15 at the Austin Chronicle SXSW party at La Zona Rosa.