Filmmaker Donn Thompson Morelli, aka Donn T, comes from an extraordinarily rich creative lineage in Philadelphia. Her grandfather sang with the Dixie Hummingbirds, her father founded the acclaimed doo-wop group Lee Andrews & the Hearts, and her mother is a classically trained ballet dancer and gifted tap dancer who also participated as a vocalist in later configurations of the family’s band, known as Congress Alley. Her brother, Ahmir Thompson, is better known as Questlove, a founding member of iconic Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots.
It’s no surprise that Donn T has followed a path of creativity and entrepreneurship, writing songs and performing with some of the most notable names in the music industry — including Jill Scott, John Legend, Common, and Amy Winehouse — while establishing her independent record label D-Tone Victorious. She and her extremely in-demand husband, producer and guitar slinger Jake Morelli, have touched souls around the world. Donn T has been affiliated with The Recording Academy of America for 10 years, and currently serves as a National Trustee of The Recording Academy (She’s a former President of the Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter.)
Although the title of first filmmaker in her family may go to her brother, whose list of music documentaries expanded this summer to include Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World), Donn T is making her debut with a work that resonates with the two of them. The Philadelphia Sensei: Lovett Hines is set for its world premiere on Aug. 9 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, as part of this year’s BlackStar Film Festival.
It would be difficult to speak about music education in Philadelphia without including the name Lovett Hines. His approach to learning encourages young musicians to find and refine their own creative voices. The results speak for themselves: a short list of musicians he has mentored includes not only Questlove but also Christian McBride, Joey DeFrancesco, Bilal, Orrin Evans, Immanuel Wilkins, Johnathan Blake, Justin Faulkner, Nazir Ebo, Joe Block, and Jaleel Shaw. (Most of those artists testify in the film; I also make an appearance.)
Donn T and Lovett Hines will join me live on The Bridge this Friday at 10 p.m. to discuss the film, their friendship, and the significance of Mr. Hines’ career as an educator.
The evening will also include a visit from Tina Betz, the City of Wilmington Delaware’s Director of Cultural Affairs; this year's cohort of students participating in the Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency; and their Program Director, Jonathan W. Whitney. The residency serves as an educational component to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.
Tune in to The Bridge, from 10 p.m. on Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday.
