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‘Downtown Express’ (film) with Nellie McKay & Philippe Quint
Downtown Express is a new film by David Grubin. Check out the trailer below:
Set in the world of Russian immigrants living in New York City, Downtown Express uses music to explore the clash of old world values against the lure and excitement of a new country. Under the watch of his loving but overbearing father, virtuoso violinist and Juilliard student Sasha (Grammy nominee Philippe Quint) prepares for a critical recital meant to launch his career.
Yet, he is increasingly drawn to the rhythms of the streets of New York, and when he meets singer-songwriter Ramona (acclaimed recording artist Nellie McKay), he joins her band, falls in love, and begins to lead a double life, careening frantically between two worlds. As his classical debut nears, Sasha must decide whether or not to break with his father, forging his own destiny.
And, per the film’s webpage…
[Nellie McKay’s] fifth album is due this September.
Downtown Express opens April 20th 2012 at the Quad Cinema in New York City.
Nellie McKay – indie film & WBGO interview
Update: You can now order Home Sweet Mobile Home on Amazon
To piggy back off of this recent post about Nellie McKay‘s upcoming album, Home Sweet Mobile Home (out Sept 28), online music source 24bit added…
Before the album drops this fall, however, McKay will record music for and star as struggling New York City singer-songwriter Ramona in Downtown Express, an independent feature film in which her character falls in love with a Russian musician visiting town for a month on a Juilliard scholarship, played by real-life virtuoso violinist Philippe Quint.
She also did an in-studio appearance at WBGO (streaming audio link). She does some tunes and is interviewed by WBGO’s Michael Bourne. It was posted over at nelliemckay.com only yesterday (7/18/2010); so I assume it’s recent – even though it seems very Normal As Blueberry Pie-centric.