If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings perform, then you already have witnessed the joyful ferocity of her performance. She’s a soul singer like no other at the moment, a true powerhouse that can get thousands up off of their feet and dancing. And even more, she’s packed houses around the world without a single traditional radio hit. Her story is a remarkable one and its being brought to big screen in the appropriately named “Miss Sharon Jones!”
Directed by Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County U.S.A.,” “Wild Man Blues“), the film chronicles the rise of the singer, who only found success in her musical career in middle age, shining brightly in the spotlight, until she faced her greatest obstacle yet. Here’s the official synopsis:
Two-time Academy Award-winner Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, American Dream) follows Grammy-nominated R&B dynamo Sharon Jones during the most courageous year of her life. Often compared to the legendary James Brown because of her powerful and energetic performances, Sharon Jones is no stranger to challenge. For years her music career struggled as she was kept in the wings by a music industry that branded her “too short, too black, too fat.” After decades of working odd jobs, from a corrections officer to a wedding singer, Sharon had a middle-aged breakthrough after joining forces with Brooklyn R&B outfit The Dap-Kings. In 2013, on the eve of the release of the much-anticipated album Give The People What They Want, Sharon was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Miss Sharon Jones! is a triumphant crowd-pleaser that captures an irrepressible human spirit as she battles back to where she belongs: center stage.
“Miss Sharon Jones!” opens in New York City on July 29th, Los Angeles on August 5th, and will expand from there.
