Jazz Dreams in San Francisco

Prof. Geoff Poister is headed to San Francisco this weekend to showcase his latest directing work, Jazz Dreams II. The film follows three young jazz musicians from New Orleans for 14 years as they navigate their careers.

Shot in New Orleans from 1998 to 2000, with follow-up visits in 2002, 2008 and 2010, Jazz Dreams II focuses on the rise of new jazz musicians in the city where jazz was born. The film is a tribute to black Americans’ contributions to world music, and it "demonstrates what young people can accomplish when they are passionate and inspired," the film's biography says.

The film takes viewers into the Marsalis family to see what process produced a family of musical geniuses. Ellis Marsalis and his wife have six sons, three of which are also jazz artists, and have music and appearances in the film.

Poister and Jason Marsalis, one of the three musicians featured in the film, will be on hand for the screening at the Black Heritage Center’s Media and Education Theater, Saturday at 8 p.m., with a live Q&A to follow. The event is sponsored by the San Francisco Black Film Festival.