DOCUMENTARY

Our documentary is a cultural, political, spiritual, and socioeconomic snapshot of 2024-2026 through the lens of the NYC jam music underground- an intricate network of musicians, artists, and events that fuse world music, improvisation, and collaborative performances. 

Much like the root system of a mushroom, this musical mycelium network provides a haven for the huge influx of talented artists in NYC who need places to play, practice, experiment, and build community. 

 Facilitating street interviews and sitting down with community leaders, jam organizers, historians, and their archives- this documentary shares the stories and people who are interwoven in this incredible community. 

With many local artists facing the increasing corporatization of NYC, and the dwindling life of store-front businesses and events after COVID 19- finding ways to preserve humanity in creative spaces has become a necessary act, with jam spaces providing many artists with collective community support and relief from the challenges of our modern time. 

These moments of group flow-state and creative collaboration often lead to heightened, and even ecstatic experiences- where many are able to explore the mystery of trance states, spiritual experience, and deepened community without the dogma of organized religion.

 This is the portrait of a moment and of a spirited community of artists finding ways to thrive in a society impacted by years of continued global instability, economic challenge, and disconnection. 

This documentary highlights topics such as the rapid development of AI and the internet, as well as the real-world impact of the growing tech revolution on multimedia art- as we utilize animation, metaphor, myth, and history to share the evolution and significance of NYC improv jazz and world music fusion.