Presents…

IN THEATERS 02/15/19 & ON DEMAND 3/15/19DISTRIBUTOR: Blue Fox Entertainment DIRECTED BY: T.G. Herrington & Danny Clinch WRITTEN BY: T.G. Herrington CAST: Preservation Jazz Hall Band PRODUCED BY: Nicelle Herrington, Han Soto GENRE: Documentary / History / Music Not Rated - Run Time: 82mins LANGUAGE: English COUNTRY: United States YEAR: 2019 WEBSITE: https://www.atubatocuba.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/A-Tuba-to-Cuba-175186153278096/ TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @ATubaToCuba TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx4ceFAN_3c&t=2s PRESS MATERIALS https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pncnkrfrj9otslq/AABhXIoHc_V7A2DrRc40AEpUa?dl=0

Media Contact: Richard Stafford , Blue Fox Entertainment Phone: 310-384-5753 Email: Richard@bluefoxentertainment.com

Featuring PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND BEN JAFFE (Bass, Tuba), CHARLIE GABRIEL (Saxophone, Clarinet), WALTER

HARRIS (Drums), CLINT MAEDGEN (Saxophone), RONELL JOHNSON (Trombone), Rickie Monie (Piano), Mark Braud (Trumpet)

w/ WIN BUTLER and REGINE CHASSAGNE of ARCADE FIRE

WORLD PREMIERE at the SXSW Film Festival LOS ANGELES PREMIERE at the DTLA Film Festival

WINNER Louisiana Doc Award — New Orleans Film Festival WINNER Best Cinematography — TallGrass Film Festival WINNER Jury Award Best Film — Fairhope Film Festival

EAR SHOT JAZZ Series — Northwest Film Forum

“Likely to become a classic of the musical documentary genre.” - Austin Chronicle

"The verdict? We are one place and one people, born to combat despair, oppression and poverty with ingenuity, humor, and the music that transcends all of

it." - Deadline Hollywood

“Wonderful footage from a live performance at the historic Teatro Terry, with members of Tumba Francesa joining them onstage, underscores the bridge that has been built..”

- Austin American-Statesman

"A Tuba to Cuba celebrates the triumph of the human spirit expressed through the universal language of music and challenges us to dig deeper; to find that common

ground we all have inside us, and there, resolve to build bridges, not walls." - SXSW Film Festival

SHORT SYNOPSIS: A TUBA TO CUBA follows New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band as they trace their musical roots from the City of Jazz to the shores of Cuba. LONG SYNOPSIS: The leader of New Orleans’ famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band seeks to fulfill his late father's dream of retracing their musical roots to the shores of Cuba in search of the indigenous music that gave birth to New Orleans jazz. A Tuba to Cuba celebrates the triumph of the human spirit expressed through the universal language of music and challenges us to resolve to build bridges, not walls.

“A Tuba To Cuba is not only a love letter to Cuba and New Orleans, but more importantly, to that “spirit”… That music, that lies deep inside all of us. Passed down to

us by our mothers and fathers and the others that came before them. A gift that shapes our identity. Opens our eyes. Gives us a voice. Makes us feel…”

-T.G. Herrington

DIRECTORS STATEMENT

“A Tuba To Cuba” began as a musical journey in search of the roots of jazz, but soon, its narrative began to reveal a deeper truth to us. Framed in the context of the tenuous US embargo of Cuba and the island's sixty years of isolation, New Orleans' famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band travels from the storied city of jazz to the shores of Cuba in search of their musical identities. There, while interacting with their fellow Cuban musicians...

Living rooms, back alleys and cobbled stone streets soon bore witness to the power of meaningful connection. A connection transcending the barriers of language, politics, color and creed.

As filmmakers this was an uplifting and joyful journey. We felt the need to leave politics, controversies and differences at the door. Instead, we chose to embrace all that was beautiful and whole about humanity. We feel this film captures the triumph of the human spirit expressed through the universal language of music and challenges us to dig deeper. To find the common ground we all have inside, and there, firmly plant the flag of sister/brotherhood.

“A Tuba To Cuba” is not only a love letter to Cuba and New Orleans, but more importantly, to that "spirit"... That music, that lies deep inside all of us. Passed down to us by our mothers and fathers and the others that came before them. A gift that shapes our identity. Opens our eyes. Gives us a voice. Makes us feel... And creates the want to heal. - Directors T.G Herrington & Danny Clinch

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND

At a moment when musical streams are crossing with unprecedented frequency, it’s crucial to remember that throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface, transformed by the Crescent City’s inimitable spirit and joie de vivre. Nowhere is that idea more vividly embodied than in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 50 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.

PHJB marches that tradition forward once again on. So It Is, the septet’s second release featuring all-new original music. The album redefines what New Orleans music means in 2017 by tapping into a sonic continuum that stretches back to the city’s Afro-Cuban roots, through its common ancestry with the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the Fire Music of Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane, and forward to cutting-edge artists with whom the PHJB have shared festival stages from Coachella to Newport, including legends like Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello and the Grateful Dead and modern giants like My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire and the Black Keys.

MEET THE BAND

BEN JAFFE Creative Director / Bass, Tuba

The son of Hall founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe, Ben was raised in and around Preservation Hall. Jaffe marched in his first Carnival parade at the age of nine alongside his father and parrain (godfather) Harold “Duke” Dejan. When he was thirteen, the lease on the building that housed the Hall was up for renewal. His father sat the family down and asked Ben whether they should continue. By 1984, many of the original musicians who had played at the Hall in its early days had passed away, yet the

soul of the Hall remained the same. The young Jaffe replied, “Of course you continue!”

Less than ten years later, the day after graduating from Oberlin College, Jaffe flew off to play upright bass with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in France and began overseeing operations at the Hall. He now serves as the Hall’s creative director and plays tuba (sousaphone), upright bass, and banjo in the band. Jaffe remastered and released several archival recordings of the early Preservation Hall Jazz Band, including some by Sweet Emma Barrett and Sister Gertrude Morgan. The band’s newer recordings include collaborations with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Pete Seeger, Tom Waits, Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, the Edge, and many others.

CHARLIE GABRIEL Saxophone, Clarinet

Clarinetist, saxophonist, and flutist Charlie Gabriel is a fourth-generation jazz musician from New Orleans. Raised in a classically trained musical family that emigrated from Santo Domingo in the 1850s, Gabriel began playing clarinet professionally with the Eureka Jazz Band when he was eleven years old. During World War II, his father, clarinetist and drummer Martin Manuel “Manny” Gabriel often sent his son as a substitute on gigs. Charlie recalls how the musicians with whom he

played —T-Boy Remy, Kid Humphrey, Kid Sheik, Kid Shots, Kid Clayton, and Kid Howard— also raised him and brought him home after the gigs.

In a career spanning countless genres, Gabriel has performed with Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon, Brenda Lee, Mary Wells, Eddie Willis, Joe Hunter, and many other early Motown artists. Gabriel sums up the influence of his fellow musicians: “I have many, many people inside of me that I have rubbed shoulders with, and I got something from each one of them. It’s all wrapped up inside of me, and by me still playing today and still able to go around the universe, I give to them all these other things I have from those that I have came in contact with.”

CLINT MAEDGEN Saxophone

Though Clint is best known as leader of multi-media alt.cabaret group The New Orleans Bingo! Show, he has been in love with the sound of traditional New Orleans jazz since he was a small child.

After studying with clarinet innovator Alvin Batiste at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Clint returned to New Orleans’ French Quarter where he cemented his reputation as an artist and collaborator through an ongoing series of eclectic and experimental musical ensembles. As a full-time member of the PHJB, he brings an infectious passion to both his playing and singing.

RONELL JOHNSON Trombone

Born and raised in New Orleans, Ronell started on the trumpet and piano around the age of 6. He is from a musical family and was taught to play, in the beginning, by his three older brothers who are also professional musicians. Also, he and his brothers are the great-nephews of Joseph “Kid Twat” Butler, who was the string bass player with the legendary Kid Thomas Valentine and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ronell is recognized around the world and in a host of magazines and journals as one of New Orleans’ prized musicians who adds a lot of energy, animation, humor, and fire to the band stand.

Ben Jaffe remembers teaching Johnson at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA): “I can’t take credit for Ronell. He was well on his way when we met. Ronell played in a band with his older brother Stephen. They were a big deal. They took elements of hip-hop and incorporated them into the traditional New Orleans brass band setting. It struck me as the same thing the old Olympia Brass Band did back in the 1970s when they started playing ‘I Got a Woman’ and ‘Watermelon Man.’ Ronell is a beautiful person and amazing talent.”

WALTER HARRIS Drums

Walter’s musical backgrounds began at home, where his father was a guitarist and mother a vocalist. He grew up in a well-rounded spectrum of musicians, which led to the inspiration of his career as a drummer.

He was exposed to a wide variety of talent within his family circuit on both sides of his family, being the nephew of the Brooks’ family and the Harris family gave Walter the opportunity to be exposed to all genres and aspects of music.

RICKIE MONIE Piano

Born and raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to jazz loving church musicians, Rickie was inundated at an early age with the recordings of such great jazz and gospel pianists as Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Teddy Wilson. After majoring in woodwind instruments at Dillard University, Rickie turned back to the piano and picked up work in every style of music. In 1982, Monie got his first call from Preservation Hall, to substitute for the legendary resident pianist Sweet Emma Barret after she suffered a stroke. To the delight of audiences around the world, he’s stayed onboard ever since.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Director/Producer T.G. HERRINGTON started his career editing commercials and music videos for such noted directors as David Fincher, Michael Bay and Michel Gondry. His post-production experience parlayed his move into the director’s chair filming commercials for Nike, Budweiser, Toyota and other global brands. In 2011, at the urging of director and frequent collaborator, Simon West, TG signed on to edit the action film The Mechanic, starring Jason Statham. The experience of having worked in the feature film arena led T.G. to his first foray into directing narrative via the award-winning film Mr. Okra, which became an official selection at the

Sundance and Cannes film festivals.

Herrington then shifted gears to become Executive Producer on the epic civil war drama The Free State of Jones, starring Academy Award Winner Matthew McConaughey.

Herrington has several projects in development with producer Nicelle Herrington through Nom De Guerre Films, including the film adaptation of The Polish Boxer, an internationally acclaimed novel by Eduardo Halfon; and Storyville, a dramatic series based on true events and chronicles the lives of the notorious Madams who created an empire of vice in New Orleans’ legalized red light district of the1800’s, then fought tooth and nail to keep it.

Recently Herrington wrote and directed a series of interconnected music videos for “Come On to Me” by rock icon Paul McCartney.

Director DANNY CLINCH loves music. He listens to it, plays it, photographs it, and films it. Danny has established himself as one of the premiere photographers of the popular music scene. He has photographed and filmed a wide range of artists, from Johnny Cash to Tupac Shakur, from Bjork to Bruce Springsteen.

His work has appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair, Spin, Rolling Stone, GQ, Esquire, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Magazine, and his photographs have appeared on hundreds of album covers.

As a director, Clinch has received 3 Grammy Award nominations: in 2005 for Bruce Springsteen’s “Devils and Dust” and in 2009 for John Mayer’s “Where The Light Is” and for the Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite collaboration short film called “Get Up”. He has also directed music videos

for Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Pearl Jam, Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket, Avett Brothers, Foo Fighters and Dave Matthews, among others.

Most recently he directed “Let’s Play Two” - a film about Pearl Jam’s historic concerts at Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs World Series win in 2016.

Danny Plays harmonica in the Tangiers Blues Band and will occasionally put down his harmonica in the middle of a set, and pick up his Leica and begin photographing his band members. At that point, Danny Clinch is a happy man.

Watching Producer NICELLE HERRINGTON work, you feel what makes her special: her passion for the work. From the seed of an idea through the end of distribution, Nicelle loves every detail. She produces across multiple platforms including commercial campaigns, music videos and documentaries. Her notable work includes the short film ‘Mr.Okra’ an official selection to the Sundance and Cannes Film festivals, and the feature length documentary “A Tuba To Cuba” an official selection of SXSW Film festival. Both projects highlight her passion for the culture of New Orleans. Her music accolades include Executive Producing Solange Knowles’ multi award winning music videos 'Please, Don't Touch My Hair’ and ‘Cranes In The Sky’. Most recently Nicelle produced the trio of music videos, “Come On To Me”, for the legendary Paul McCartney. Nicelle serves as Head of Development at Nom de Guerre Films where she is pursuing her passion for bringing people together to create and develop

remarkable projects.

Line Producer HAN SOTO is an actor and producer whose work spans across the lines of genre. Whether on blockbuster films such as “Ender’s Game” or documentaries like “War Diamonds,” Soto brings his blend of business sense and keen eye to whatever project is at hand. Han’s ability to bring together creative talent and resources can be witnessd by the recently completed production of A TUBA TO CUBA, an impressive documentary that follows the famed Preservation Jazz Hall Band to Cuba in a quest to uncover the roots of New Orleans jazz. Its stunning visuals lie in harmonic balance with the cultured sounds personal discoveries of the famed recording band and was received with accolades during its premiere at SXSW 2018. Gripping and heartfelt. Soto’s latest documentary, currently in preproduction, has already secured distributiom and pre-sales in a number of international markets.

CREDITS

Directed by TG Herrington & Danny Clinch Written by TG Herrington

Music by Ben Jaffe Producer Nicelle Herrington

Line Producer Han Soto Executive Producers

Ben Jaffe, Mike Martinovich, Adam Block, Kristin Patrick, Ellen Healey Pietropaoli, Robert Kandle Associate Producers Greg Lucas, Ned Sublette, Allen Perez

Cinematography Josh Goleman, Javier Labrador Editors Dayn Williams, Luis Carballar, Kyle Curry, Andrew Wallace

CAST Ben Jaffe Allan Jaffe

Sandra Jaffe Walter Harris

Charlie Gabriel Ronell Johnson Clint Maedgen Rickie Monie Mark Braud Win Butler

Régine Chassagne Greg Lucas

Arthur “Mr Okra” Robinson Ernan Lopez-Nussa

Yasek Manzano Bobby Carcasses

Yoandri Arguin Abraham Peñalver

William Torres Bailadores De Santa Amalia

Pancho Terry Miguelito Nuñez

Alejandro Almenares Andrea Quiala Benet

Kadir Lopez Adolfo Nodal

William Sabourin Luis Pedroso Haydé Soul Jorge Vistel

Piquette Tipico Conga De San Agustin

Pancho Amat Tumba Francesa

Osmani Ibarra Oliver Valdez Yanet Valdez Juliot Padron

Humberto ILazaga Jeanette Jaffe Emma Jaffe

NEW ORLEANS UNIT

2nd Unit Dir Josh Goleman DOP Pick-ups Natalie Kingston

Prod. Coordinator Beth Burvant

Steadicam Stuart Penny A Camera Andrew Brown, Colin Anders

A Camera Op Brandon Baidier B Camera Op Seth Fuller

C Camera Op Channing Bern Addtnl Camera Jason Rhein

Live Performance Mixing Craig Walker

1st Unit Sound Greg Tobler Chris Ganucheau 2nd Unit Sound Eric Rice John Flachsbart

3rd Unit Sound James Eck Rippe DIT Marius Schanke

Casting Lacey Wood

Costume Supervisor Ann Walters Wardrobe Intern Lorenza De La Puente

Locations Evan Eastham Drone Operator Paul West

Production Assistants Jessica Govea Jasper Herrington Ruston Henry Craft Service Ben Levasseur Legal Seth Levine Allen Frederic

CUBA UNIT

Producer Luis Lago Diaz Prod Manager Claudia Beltran

AD Milton Alvaredo DOP Javier Coello

Sound Raymel A Casamayor Grip Igor Pintado

PA Rodolfo Salas, Santiago Santana, Juan Carlos Sanchez Drivers Lazaro Perez Armando Muiz Yuniesky Gonzalez

Transport Carlos Alvarez Vladimir Ortega Truck Drivers Armando Rodriguez Lazaro Montes Ariel Gomez

Translator Alejandro Santiago Musicologist Cary Diez

Santiago Consultant Rodulfo Vaillant Admin Assit Lourdes Martinez

Personal Driver Jesus Hernandez

Cultural Consultant Isabel Reinoso Counsel Tania Delgado

Stock Footage Rosa Marquetti

POST PRODUCTION Assit Editors Andrew Jon Wallace Quenton Jones Hector Toro

Additional Editing Quenton Jones Daniel Diez Post Supervision Kyle Curry

Digital Intermediate Colorist Bradley Greer Online Editor Wendy Celeste Sound Mix Misha Kachkachishvili

Sound Editing Tyler Heath Paul Macdonald Percussion/ADR Alex Marti

Tres ADR Alexi Guevara Illustration by Alexa Pulitzer

PRESERVATION HALL

Jeanette Jaffe Ron Rona

Greg Lucas Ashley Shabankareh

Ashley Graham Gia Monteleone Frank Bombaci

REDLIGHT MANAGEMENT

Mike Martinovich Eric Mayers Jay Barnings

Olivia Harrington

PS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Andrew Britton Rob Gordon

Brad Greenberg

SPECIAL THANKS Sandra Jaffe

City Of New Orleans New Orleans Film Society

Sony Legacy Adam Block Mark Ankner

Alexandra & Florence Mars Alexa Pulitzer

Second Line Studios Jones Walker LLP Carolyn Shehan

VER Tariq Hanna

Kelli Bingham Laron Mathieu

Tim Caldwell Scott Morhman

Matthew Bigelow Adolfo Nodal

Montes de Oca Tim Francis

Esplanade Studios Kyoto Color Maison Post

Preservation Hall Foundation Bryan Bailey

Steve Rehage Horns to Havana

Susan Sillins Pepe Fabregas

Enrique Rodriguez Erin McPherson

Ray Martin Gino Rendeiro

Bob Francis Greg & Tanya Giedd

Neil Oza Michael & Cecilia Luong Tran

George & Dawn Landrum Jason & Katie Villa

Michael LeBlanc, JR. Crissy Michel LeBlanc Tarik & Emily Alherimi

Trung Nguyen Daniel Linh Nguyen Truc Thanh-Thi Tran

Ali Alherimi Kody Chamberlain

Fred & Leanne Miller Sandra Springer David Herrman

Julie Jarnot-Nguyen Carder Higinbotham

Jared Hopkins John Kirkendoll

Tim Spratt Historic New Orleans Collection

Jules Cahn Richard & Vivian Cahn

Tom Sancton Ace Hotels

Digital Intermediate provided by Kyoto Color

Additional footage provided by Elephant Quilt

Archival materials provided by Instituto Cubano de Radio y la Televisión, ICRT Empresa Comercializadora de la Radio y la television

RTV Comercial

Archival materials granted by ICAIC El Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematograficos, ICAIC

Archival material provided by Historic New Orleans Collection

Archive material provided by Preservation Hall Foundation

MUSIC “Keep Your Head Up High”

Written by Ben Jaffe, Clint Maedgen, Ronell Johnson, Walter Harris Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Preservation Hall All Rights Reserved

“Santiago”

Written by Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Sony Music Entertainment All Rights Reserved

“La Malanga”

Written by Ben Jaffe, Tao-Rodriguez-Seeger Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Sony Music Entertainment All Rights Reserved

“Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing”

Arranged by Ben Jaffe Performed by Tom Waits & Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Sony Music Entertainment All Rights Reserved

“Let Us Make A Record”

Written by Sister Gertrude Morgan Performed by Sister Gertrude Morgan

©2017 Preservation Hall All Rights Reserved

“Con Mi Tumbao”

Performed by La Sonora Libre ©2012 Mauricio Ochoa

All Rights Reserved

“El Manicero” Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Preservation Hall Jazz Band All Rights Reserved

“Ma Ma Du”

Performed by The Chakachas ©2000 AMC

All Rights Reserved

“Les Vieux Amants” Performed by Santiago De Cuba

©2012 Emotion Latina All Rights Reserved

“Descarga Del Septeto”

Performed by Septeto Tipico Oriental ©1994 Discos Corason

All Rights Reserved

“Eleggua” Performed by Raices Habaneras

©2007 Academy of Cuban Folklore And Dance All Rights Reserved

“Pa’ La Paloma”

Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band ©2012 La Sonora Matancera

All Rights Reserved

“A Vucchella” Performed by Enrico Caruso

©2008 Fonola Dischi All Rights Reserved

“Come With Me”

Written by Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

©2017 Sony Music Entertainment All Rights Reserved