The band was the first all-black stage band ever to reach national competition and with "Prof" at the helm, they developed huge Afros, tight choreography, original funk, and, to the dismay of the conflicted judges, a dazzling style. ("And the winner is..." ...long pause... ...then a mumbled whisper... "...Kashmere...") Because that competition was held in Alabama during Governor Wallace's militant segregationist days, they were understandably anxious to collect their trophy and get outta town!
They were invited to play all over the country, so they were constantly raising funds for travel expenses. A trip to Europe almost eluded them until the State of Texas gave them a check to cover a shortfall. The Governor of Texas called them "Our ambassadors!" "Prof" trained them from the get-go to watch their language, their dress and their deportment because he felt they represented their people. So it was fitting that Texas send students who were specifically trained to be ambassadors.
The success of the band was infectious, and Kashmere High started to generate winning sports teams, vocal groups, scholarship winners, and became a beacon of Black Pride in the city. Students from other parts of town smuggled themselves into classes and hoped not to be caught.
Clips of the reunion are mixed in throughout the entire film so we follow the band members as high school musicians and then, 35 years later, as giddy middle-agers, some of whom hadn't touched their horns since graduation. The first few rehearsals are pretty rocky but they reserve our view of the "real" concert for the night their beloved 92-year-old teacher checks out of the hospital and comes to the event.
Expect lots of humor, many great reminiscences, a few tears and some mighty high spirits.
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