The 1970 murder case of a young virtuoso jazz musician is re-opened when the man’s son decides to construct his family tree…
[BILLY] Seen in 1970, African American, 20 years old, a bright, creative, fabulously talented jazz musician, with an uncannily accurate sense of where Philly Soul music is headed, he is skilled on the piano, drums and bass, and feels torn between two worlds: his love of jazz music and his responsibilities to his strict father, Reverend Tom, who disapproves of the “jazz element.” Billy’s brother recently died in Vietnam, and he’s a bit lost and searching for his place in the world, turning to alcohol more and more often. After paying back a loanshark, confronting his father on his hypocrisies, and planning to leave town, Billy is killed outside “The Hive,” an after-hours jazz club, under mysterious circumstances…GUEST STAR. ACTOR MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A VARIETY OF INSTRUMENTS (1)
[CHANDRA (1970)] Seen in 1970, African American, 17 years old, a plain-looking, church-going, extremely talented gospel singer with a genuine smile, she has a crush on Billy and dreams of being the next Aretha Franklin. Chandra is humiliated and hurt when Billy’s record producer Ronde bluntly tells her she doesn’t have the right look to be successful…GUEST STAR. ACTRESS MUST BE ABLE TO SING (1)
[CHANDRA (2009)] Now 54 years old, African American, well-dressed and dignified, she’s still very active in the church choir, and she contradicts Buster’s memories about her stalled music career. She is goaded into admitting more than she wanted to about the circumstances surrounding Billy’s death…GUEST STAR (27)
[FINN] A troubled, curious 16-year-old boy with blond hair, he deliberately acts out so he’ll be brought to the station for drunk and disorderly behavior. He figures that’s the best way to meet his half-sister, Rush…GUEST STAR, RECURRING. PLEASE SUBMIT 18 OR OLDER TO PLAY YOUNGER (8)
[REVEREND TOM (2009)] In his 70s, African American, strong in his faith, he speaks with a booming, authoritative voice, and he bristles at any mention of his dead son Billy’s association with “The Hive,” an after-hours jazz club. The Reverend lost both his sons; one to Vietnam, and the other to “the streets.” He admits to personal flaws but he swears that he loved his son Billy and didn’t kill him. He’s tearfully grateful to hear that he has a grandson…GUEST STAR (9)
[RONDE (2009)] In his 60s, African American, proud and a bit cocky, he’s a wildly successful, old school Philly record producer about to receive a lifetime achievement award. He scoffs at the insinuation that he was romantically involved with his secretary, Beatrice, and also deflects accusations that he stole from Billy the song that launched his label. He claims he paid for the credit fair and square…GUEST STAR (16)
[GERALDINE (2009)] In her 70s, African American, brash and good-looking, a survivor, she runs a busy soul food restaurant and numbers-running joint out of her home. Sharp and tough, she used to be quite the loan shark back in the day. She remembers Billy fondly, and with some sadness. She’s somewhat more reluctant to admit that she knew Billy’s father, too…GUEST STAR (11)
[GERALDINE (1970)] 40 years old, African American, seen in 1970 as a sultry knockout who looks somewhat out of place in church, she’s a tough loan shark who owns and runs “The Hive,” Philly’s after-hours jazz club for only the best musicians in the city. Geraldine can take care of herself — she totes a sawed-off shotgun and handles her drunken clients just fine — but she appreciates Billy’s charm in a tense stand-off with Buster. Geraldine is having a clandestine relationship with the Reverend…GUEST STAR (11)
[BEATRICE] Seen in 1970 at the age of 23, she’s a sleek, sophisticated, beautiful African American woman who works as a secretary for Ronde at his studio. Beatrice serves as a talent scout in her off hours, and has a sassy side, buying drinks for Billy at “The Hive,” and encouraging him to pursue his music. She is pregnant with their son when Billy is murdered, and frustrated that Billy kept her a secret from his strict Reverend father…GUEST STAR (13)
[REVEREND TOM (1970)] In his 40s, African American, seen in 1970, he’s an intimidating, pious, strict, and conservative preacher with a booming voice. He’s recently lost a son to Vietnam, and expects a lot of his remaining child, Billy. On the night of Billy’s murder, he and Billy get into an awful fight…GUEST STAR (1)
[RONDE (1970)] 30 years old in 1970, African American, raw and tough, from the streets and a badass in a suit, he’s no fool but he still has some things to learn about the recording business. He runs a studio called the “Swamp-pit,” that’s cramped and smoky, and he knows talent when he sees it. That’s why he kicks out the drunken Buster to make way for Billy, and blows off Chandra for having the wrong “look”…GUEST STAR (17)
[BUSTER (2009)] Now in his 60s, African American, outspoken, clean and sober for the past 30 years, he runs a vinyl shop. He speaks admiringly of Billy and marvels at the other man’s ability to have predicted the future of Philly Soul back in 1970…ONE-DAY GUEST STAR (20)
[BUSTER (1970)] Seen in 1970, in his 30s, African American, a regular at “The Hive,” he’s a bulldog of a guy, proficient on the guitar, but stymied by his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He’s jealous of Billy’s talent, particularly when he gets kicked out of a recording session so Billy can shine…LARGE CO-STAR (13)
[WAYNE] In his 20s, he’s a half-witted, loud, cocksure young cop, eager to prove himself and jump into the fray…LARGE CO-STAR (7)
[ARCHIE] In his late 30s, African American, he is Billy and Beatrice’s son who was born 8 months after his father’s death and never knew anything real about Billy. Now his own son is curious about the family history, so Archie did some research and discovered his dad was murdered. He comes to Jeffries for help in discovering what really happened back in 1970…LARGE CO-STAR (2)
Watch “Soul” Episode Right Now