E-mail a friendMay 27, 2004
Father and son filmmakers Melvin and Mario Van Peebles talk about their new project. Joe Lamond describes a new program to increase music education in schools.
Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles
Actor-director Mario Van Peebles wavered between a career in finance and acting before deciding to follow in his father's footsteps. Armed with an economics degree and experience with a film investment firm, he opted to pursue filmmaking. He became a fulltime actor with Cotton Club, and New Jack City launched his career behind the camera. Van Peebles has starred in and directed a number of TV and feature films, including his latest, Badass.
Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin Van Peebles
Black cinema pioneer Melvin Van Peebles has led a varied life. He's been a navigator/bombardier in the Air Force, stock trader and novelist. He also directed, produced and starred in numerous films and plays. Perhaps best known for his groundbreaking film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, he launched his career in Paris, where he made his first feature. A frequent collaborator with his son, Mario, Van Peebles plays himself in the film, Badass.
Joe Lamond
Joe Lamond
A leading national advocate for music education, Joe Lamond is President & CEO of NAMM, the International Music Products Association. He says NAMM represents the unlimited potential to positively change the world through music. In his previous position with NAMM, Lamond launched a number of innovative programs, such as the Coalition for Music Education. His background includes performing on tour as a drummer and songwriting.