Rock & Reel: A Film About Monticello’s Black Fiddlers tells the story of three generations of musicians who transformed the soundscape of Virginia. Eston, Madison, and Beverly Hemings, enslaved sons of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, were all accomplished fiddlers. Jefferson himself was a violinist, as was his brother; his wife, daughters, and grandchildren were also avid musicians. Indigenous fiddler Jesse Scott, who married into the Hemings family, taught three of his sons and a grandson to play. The Scotts chose to navigate the difficult racial climate of Charlottesville, while their Hemings cousins moved away – Eston Hemings formed one of Ohio’s most famous string bands. In this documentary, the story of these nearly-forgotten fiddlers is brought to life by top Monticello historians.
The film also includes footage of Early Music Access Project musicians rehearsing and performing concerts of music once played by these remarkable fiddlers. Footage from the Affrolachian On-Time Music Gathering in Orange, Virginia traces an unbroken musical tradition that survives today through trailblazing Black old-time musicians. As EMAP musicians recreate these 19th-century sounds in concert, it becomes clear why the Scott family’s music “caused the old chateau to rock and reel to the cadence of the tripping feet.”
Following the screening, David McCormick will moderate a Q&A session featuring co-director Stephen Brouillette, musicians Benjamin Hunter and Loren Ludwig, historian Andrew Davenport, and Affrolachian On-Time Music Gathering founder Dena Jennings, among others. Musicians featured in the film will then have a brief live jam session, followed by a reception in the lobby.
FLEX PRICING: In an effort to make EMAP concerts accessible to all, we offer a $10 “flex” price – a great option for students, large families, and those with a limited budget for special events.
