A&E TO AIR DOCUMENTARY FROM FILMMAKER DAWN PORTER ON THE REMARKABLE STORY OF EDGE OF DAYBREAK, A PRISON SOUL ENSEMBLE, AND HOW THEIR MUSIC TRANSCENDED EVEN THE DARKEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES
"SOUL INCARCERATED" LIMITED SERIES PODCAST TO LAUNCH FEBRUARY 4TH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IHEARTPODCASTS HOSTED BY JOURNALIST JAMIE PIETRAS
BAND'S SECOND ALBUM NEW HORIZON NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
NEW YORK, NY - February 4, 2025 - A&E Network to tell the remarkable, true story of Edge of Daybreak, a 1970's penitentiary band who defied the odds and recorded a soul album, from their prison's visiting room in Richmond, Virginia. The compelling documentary "Edge of Daybreak," from filmmaker Dawn Porter, premiering later this year, along with "Soul Incarcerated," a limited series podcast launching on February 4 in partnership with iHeartPodcasts, chronicles the band's journey - revealing how music became their lifeline, a vehicle for self-expression, and ultimately, a powerful form of liberation.
The documentary "Edge of Daybreak," follows the story of a group of inmates in a maximum-security prison who formed an R&B band called Edge of Daybreak. In a single 5-hour session, they recorded 8 original songs channeling their passions and visions of freedom. But unfortunately, their album languished and was forgotten for nearly four decades. After they were released from prison, their music was later rediscovered and one of their songs made it onto the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film "Moonlight." The documentary, airing later this year on A&E explores the heart of the American justice system, the transformative power of creativity, and the profound impact of second chances.
Launching on Tuesday, February 4, the "Soul Incarcerated" podcast hosted by music journalist Jamie Pietras and co-produced by iHeartPodcasts follows the journey of these young musicians - raised under segregation, convicted for armed robbery, and brought together through a prison music program. Over seven episodes, Pietras provides context to the group's music and helps the surviving three members navigate their attempt at a comeback more than 40 years later.
With their recent success, the surviving members are reuniting to record another album and revisit the moment when lightning struck. Jamal "Sly" Nubi, Cornelius "Neal" Cade, and Harry "Cupcake" Coleman leave Virginia for the first time to record at the legendary Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, alongside musicians like Ray Parker Jr. Their long-awaited second album, New Horizon was just recently released and is now available on all digital music platforms https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-horizon-ep/1786990181
"Edge of Daybreak" is Directed by Dawn Porter and produced by Dawn Porter and Asako Gladsjo for Trilogy Films for A&E. "Edge of Daybreak" is produced in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment with Chet Fenster and Richard Foster serving as Executive Producers. Jamie Pietras, Dorian Missick and Warren Ostergard serve as consulting producers. Rob Sharenow, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as Executive Producers with Amira Lewally as Supervising Producer for A&E.
"Soul Incarcerated" is executive produced for A&E by Dorian Missick, Jamie Pietras, and Warren Ostergard. Jessie Katz and McCamey Lynn serve as executive producers for A&E. Producers for IHeartPodcasts are Katrina Norvell and Nikki Ettore.
"New Horizon" was recorded at: Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles
Produced by Steve Lindsey. Jennifer Insogna, VP and Head of Music Services at A+E Networks serves as Executive Producer.
"Soul Incarcerated" is co-produced and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, and will be available for listeners on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
ABOUT IHEARTMEDIA, INC.
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio every month. iHeart's broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
TRILOGY FILMS is a film production company led by Dawn Porter that specializes in creating non-fiction content for global media brands including Netflix, HBO, Hulu, AppleTV+, ESPN and PBS. President Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal for the Humanities in 2024. In 2021, Porter was named American Film Institute's Guggenheim Symposium honoree, joining past recipients Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Errol Morris, and other trailblazing filmmakers. Recent projects from Trilogy Films include Luther:Never too Much for CNN Films which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival; the 2023 SXSW Award-winning The LadyBird Diaries (Hulu | ABC News), Four Part Series 37 Words(ESPN), Four Part Series Deadlocked for Showtime and Paramount+ and Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net (Amazon).
ABOUT GroupM Motion ENTERTAINMENT
GroupM Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces, and distributes premium television, digital content, and award-winning programming around the globe in partnership with the world's leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships Motion works alongside GroupM agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,300 series, equating to over 42,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion currently operates in 35+ countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles. GroupM Motion Entertainment is part of GroupM, a WPP company.
ABOUT A&E
A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, original programming that captivates viewers and brings them to the heart of the stories that matter. Through its distinctive brand of award-winning non-fiction and documentary programming, A&E always makes entertainment an art. For more press information and photography, please visit us at press.aenetworks.com. Website: aetv.com | Twitter: @aetv | Facebook: aetv | Instagram: @aetv | TikTok: @aetv
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