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America's Musical Journey
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Explore America's Music on the Giant Screen

America’s Musical Journey follows singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc as he traces the roots of American music and explores the great musical cities—places like New Orleans, Chicago, Nashville, Miami, New York City and more—where such electrifying art forms as jazz, the blues, country, soul and rock and roll were born.

See the movie in IMAX® and Giant Screen theaters or watch the film on GoUSA TV! Watch GoUSA TV on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. You can also download GoUSA TV to your mobile device through the App Store or Google Play. 

 

 

Meet the Artists
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Meet the Artists

Aloe Blacc
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Aloe Blacc

ALOE BLACC HAS STUDIED EVERYTHING FROM PSYCHEDELIC ROCK AND FUNK TO REGGAE, SALSA AND DANCEHALL, AND HAS PROVED HIMSELF A DISTINGUISHED SINGER/SONGWRITER OF FOLK/SOUL/POP WITH HIS MEGA-HIT “WAKE ME UP.”

Jon Batiste
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Jon Batiste

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PIANIST, BANDLEADER AND NEW ORLEANS NATIVE JON BATISTE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DEGREE FROM JUILLIARD AND IN 2015 BECAME THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR OF CBS’ “LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT.”

Gloria and Emilio Estefan
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Gloria & Emilio Estefan

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CUBAN-AMERICAN SUPERSTAR GLORIA ESTEFAN AND HER HUSBAND EMILIO ARE TWO OF THE WORLD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL LATIN MUSICAL ARTISTS.

Dr. John
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Dr. John

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DR. JOHN IS AN AMERICAN SINGER, SONGWRITER, VOICE ACTOR, PIANIST, AND GUITARIST, WHOSE MUSIC COMBINES BLUES, POP, JAZZ, BOOGIE WOOGIE, AND ROCK AND ROLL.

Bandaloop Dancers
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Bandaloop Dancers

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BANDALOOP’S WORK HAS BEEN PRESENTED ON MUSEUMS, SKYSCRAPERS, BRIDGES, BILLBOARDS, IN NATURE, AND HISTORICAL SITES.

Donnetta and Eddie
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Donnetta and Eddie

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DONNETTA ‘LIL BIT’ JACKSON AND EDDIE ‘PAUSE’ MARTIN JR. ARE ONE OF THE TOP DUOS OF CHICAGO FOOTWORK, A STREET DANCE THAT INVOLVES FAST MOVEMENT OF THE FEET WITH TWISTS AND TURNS.

Ramsey Lewis
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Ramsey Lewis

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RAMSEY LEWIS HAS BEEN AN ICONIC LEADER IN THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ MOVEMENT FOR OVER 50 YEARS WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE SOUND THAT HAS ALLOWED HIM TO CROSS OVER TO THE POP AND R&B CHARTS.

Willow Osborne
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Willow Osborne

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BORN IN NASHVILLE, SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD WILLOW OSBORNE IS A BANJO VIRTUOSO WHO HAS BEEN WOWING CROWDS ALL OVER TENNESSEE.

Gareth Laffely
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Gareth Laffely

19 YEAR OLD SINGER/SONGWRITER AND AWARD WINNING NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE PLAYER, GARETH LAFFELY IS THE YOUNGEST ARTIST TO REACH #2 ON THE BILLBOARD NEW AGE CHARTS AT 17 YEARS OF AGE.

The Flying Elvi
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The Flying Elvi

THE FLYING ELVI ARE A TEAM OF SKYDIVERS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPERSONATING ELVIS IN THE AIR FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers
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The Fisk Jubilee Singers

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THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS ARE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN VOCAL ENSEMBLE COMPRISED OF STUDENTS AT FISK UNIVERSITY IN NASHVILLE. THEY ARE KNOWN FOR PRESERVING THE UNIQUE AMERICAN MUSICAL TRADITION KNOWN AS NEGRO SPIRITUALS.

Irma Thomas
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Irma Thomas

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IRMA THOMAS REMAINS ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST DISTINCTIVE AND CLASSIC SINGERS FROM NEW ORLEANS, A TREASURE FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF SOUL MUSIC.

The Detroit Youth Choir
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The Detroit Youth Choir

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THE DETROIT YOUTH CHOIR IS MADE UP OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 8 TO 18 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ANTHONY WHITE.

Beale Street Flippers
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Beale Street Flippers

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AS THE MOST POPULAR ACT ON MEMPHIS’ LEGENDARY MUSIC MECCA BEALE STREET, THE BEALE STREET FLIPPERS ASTONISH THE CROWDS WITH FEATS OF ACROBATIC PROWESS THAT ARE UNBELIEVABLE.

Lil Buck
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Lil Buck

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CHARLES “LIL BUCK” RILEY IS A LOS ANGELES-BASED DANCER FROM MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE WHO SPECIALIZES IN A STYLE OF STREET DANCE CALLED JOOKIN.

The Detroit skyline
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Videos

Official IMAX Trailer

Official IMAX Trailer

Aloe Blacc traces the musical roots of jazz legend Louis Armstrong  in "America’s Musical Journey" a film for IMAX and giant screen theatres.

Aloe Blacc on Louis Armstrong

America's Musical Journey - Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes Featurette

Willow Osborne

Willow Osborne - Banjo Phenom

Sneak Peek Trailer

Sneak Peek Trailer

Chicago Footwork Dancers

Chicago Footwork

Bandaloop Vertical Dancers

Bandaloop Vertical Dancers

Lil Buck, Memphis Jookin

Lil Buck, Memphis Jookin

Jon Batiste - A New Orleans Story

Jon Batiste - A New Orleans Story

Filming in the Arcade Dinner

Filming in the Arcade Diner

New Orleans - The Birthplace of Jazz

New Orleans - The Birthplace of Jazz

Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music?

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong: Following the Footsteps of a Legend

In America’s Musical Journey, Aloe Blacc traces the footsteps of Louis Armstrong from New Orleans to Chicago and beyond, where his impact on jazz and other American musical forms was profound. Born at the turn of the century in New Orleans, a grandson of slaves, Louis Armstrong learned to play the cornet in a boy’s home. A creative prodigy from the start, Armstrong revolutionized jazz with his adventurous solos, bluesy phrasing and bold improvisational style, becoming one of the most influential musical icons of the 20th century.

Louis Armstrong

Elvis Presley: The King of Rock 'n' Roll

Elvis Presley is one of the most influential cultural forces of the 20th century. In America’s Musical Journey, we visit the stops of his early music career, including Sun Studios in Memphis, where Elvis recorded his first song in 1954; the Arcade Restaurant, where he’d enjoy a milkshake after finishing a record; and his home at Graceland. By the year 1956, Elvis had become an international sensation with his unique sound and style and ushered in a new era of American music.

Filmmaker Credits

America's Musical Journey is a MacGillvray Freeman Film produced in association with Brand USA and presented by Expedia.

Director: Greg MacGillvray

Producer: Shaun MacGillvray

Executive Producer: Tom Garzilli

Writer: Stephen Judson

Music By: Steve Wood

Editors: Stephen Judson, Jason Paul and Victoria McGinnis

Director of Cinematography: Brad Ohlund

Aerial Cinematographer: Ron Goodman

Production Manager: Meghan MacGillivray

Production Manager: Kathy Almon

Visual Effects: Alan Markowitz

Taking in views of the New York City skyline from a Statue Cruises tour

A performance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Spotify Playlists Inspired by the USA

Listen by clicking the pins on the map.

Brought to you by:
South Beach's Ocean Drive
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Florida, Miami

Miami, Florida dances to the rhythm of its own Latin beat. Check out the might of the Miami music scene and listen now.

View of the iconic New York City skyline
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New York, New York City

New York City's eclectic people and places have helped shape their original, innovative, and underground music scene. Listen now.

Cloud Gate at Chicago's Millennium Park
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Illinois, Chicago

Chicago, Illinois is full of confidence and sophistication. Check out the big sounds of the Windy City. Listen now.

Memphis' Beale Street
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Tennessee, Memphis

From walking on a country road to the electric vibes of Beale St, experience the music that embodies Memphis, Tennessee. Listen now.

The Hollywood sign
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California, Los Angeles

From the Hollywood Hills to Venice Beach, discover the smooth sounds that Los Angeles, California inspires. Listen now.

The Henry Ford Museum
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Michigan, Detroit

The Motor City is more than the home of Motown music. Listen to the sounds and soul of the Detroit, Michigan's music scene.

Brass band parading through the French Quarter
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Louisiana, New Orleans

Head to New Orleans, Louisiana to smother yourself in creole culture and their deep roots in blues and jazz music. Get your taste below and listen now.

The Country Music Hall of Fame
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Tennessee, Nashville

Welcome to Nashville, Tenneessee! Rejoice in the abundance of local and world-renowned artists performing and recording daily in this honky tonk haven. Listen below.

Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest
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Oregon, Portland

Portland, Oregon's indie music scene is riddled with creativity and rebellion. For a little bit of counter-culture jams, listen below.

Mural by graffiti artist Gonzo247 in Market Square Park
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Texas, Houston

From rustic neighborhoods to urban adventures, Houston has something for everyone. Listen now to the resilient sounds of Houston, Texas.

Brightly colored buildings lining San Juan Harbor
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Puerto Rico, San Juan

Enrich your soul with the sizzling sounds of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Listen now.

The Georgia Aquarium
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Georgia, Atlanta

Let your ears gravitate towards the thriving hip-hop scene of Atlanta, Georgia. Listen now.

Denver's Larimer Square
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Colorado, Denver

Denver, Colorado provides the perfect soundtrack to enjoy fresh air and outdoor adventures. Listen now.

The USS Constellation, World Trade Center Institute and National Aquarium in Baltimore's Inner Harbor
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Maryland, Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland is beaming with local pride for its eclectic musical scene. Get a taste of what the buzz is all about in Baltimore Listen now.

The Rhode Island state capitol
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Rhode Island, Providence

Providence, Rhode Island combines small town warmth with big city sophiscation. Listen now to the breezy sounds of this thriving New England town.

San Antonio's River Walk
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Texas, San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas blends hispanic history with cowboy culture. Listen now to the western vibes of San Antonio.

The Big Sioux River running through Falls Park
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South Dakota, Sioux Falls

Rumble across the range and uncover the best kept secrets of the Midwest. Check out the sounds of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Listen now.

Playhouse Square
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Ohio, Cleveland

Discover the sounds of midwestern grit meeting cosmoplitan pleasures in Cleveland, Ohio. Listen now.

Milwaukee's German Fest
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Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Sip a beer and experience Milwaukee, Wisconsin's festive and genuine American vibe. Listen now.

Musicians at porch party in Charleston
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South Carolina, Charleston

Relax and unwind to the sounds of Charleston’s southern charm. Listen to the playlist of Charleston, South Carolina below.

Cheyenne's beats and sounds can be found rolling across the wide open spaces in Wyoming. Listen now.
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Wyoming, Cheyenne

Cheyenne's beats and sounds can be found rolling across the wide open spaces in Wyoming. Listen now.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach
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California, San Francisco

From punk rockers to hippies, San Francisco, California's music marches to its own beat. Listen now.