As such, Jason received a proclamation from the City of Atlanta in 2014 for his contributions to the city’s music, film, and cultural arts communities; and he made a documentary about his own creation, titled “FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade”. And speaking of film, he is also a producer of “Maynard”; the documentary on former Atlanta mayor and visionary, Maynard Jackson.

Jason is a fascinating individual, whose story is uniquely Atlanta. A person who has used his talents to both produce his vision and benefit his community.

Special Guest: Jason Orr.

Links:

• FunkJazz Kafé 30th Year Anniversary Celebration (Recap)
• "Stepping Into Tomorrow" (The Story of Jazz Funk and The Music That Changed The World) Trailer — Music game changers tell of their life and times during the rise and transition of one of the greatest music innovations of the 20th century, amidst decades of social imbalance. Coming 2025.
• Pharoahe Monch - “Simon Says” Live at The Tabernacle — Pharoahe performs with a live band (and a lot of tubas) at the Tabernacle for FunkJazz Kafé, July 13, 2013.
• MAYNARD (Official Trailer) — Director Sam Pollard constructs a portrait of charismatic trailblazer Maynard Jackson, who became Atlanta’s first black mayor in 1973. Co-produced by Jason Orr.

We recently spent time discussing his path to journalism, leaving New York City to live in Paris for several years, and his unexpected interview with Prince that led to an Ebony magazine cover story in 2015. Because Miles and I are close in age, our talk begins with a subject that’s close to both our hearts: hip-hop. Which is a good thing, because as of August 5th 2024, he became the Cultural Historian for The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, opening in 2025.

Special Guest: Miles Marshall Lewis.

Links:

• Purchase “Promise That You Will Sing About Me: the Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar” — Miles Marshall Lewis explores Kendrick Lamar’s life, his roots, his music, his lyrics, and how he has shaped the musical landscape.
• MML’s journal entry about interviewing Prince (X thread) — 8/24/15, i met prince rogers nelson at paisley park studios for an hours-long convo. our talk ended up as a pretty infamous ebony Q&A months later. but the day we met, i journaled.
• The Hip Hop Museum — MML serves as the museum’s Cultural Historian.