Illustration by Coral Díaz & Noelle Artigue
The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music
In the setting of the historic Carver Center in San Antonio, Texas, an aunt and her niece explore the history of African American music!
Aunt Cynthia, a music history buff, helps her niece Lauren learn about the music genres that were born and formed by African American history and culture. They cover a wide breadth, all the way from the times of slavery, to Negro Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Gospel, the Civil Rights movement, Soul and R&B, and Hip Hop. Cynthia works to inspire Lauren’s curiosity about these periods of history by continuously making it relevant to the music, and uses the layers of a quilt to explain how music of the past connects to the contemporary music that Lauren is most familiar with. By the end of the film, Lauren feels more empowered by the generational connections of music and culture she has learned.
This educational documentary for children and adults is produced by Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW), a performing arts nonprofit in San Antonio, TX.
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How To Watch
Watch on Streaming/Local Broadcast
Live in Texas? You can watch online or local broadcast starting 15 February 2026.
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News
“The Quilt” Debuts on PBS Texas – February 2026
“The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music”, the educational documentary for children and adults produced by Musical Bridges Around the World, will make its PBS debut the week of 15 February 2026 on all 10 PBS Texas member stations and streaming on PBS...
Valentine’s Day Special – “My Garden in the Countryside”
Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with a breathtaking live concert performance of "My Garden in the Countryside," a heartfelt piano piece composed and performed by the incredibly talented Arlington Jones. Written as a love song for his wife, this beautiful...
Featured Video – “Wade in the Water” – The Quilt: Live in Concert
Dr. Nicole Cherry and company perform the classic African-American spiritual as part of "The Quilt: Live in Concert" in January 2025. This event was part of DreamWeek San Antonio’s city-wide summit.🎶🎶 In the spirit of the award-winning documentary “The Quilt: A...
Reviews
REVIEW: “What a terrific documentary! I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.”
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
Making a Difference: “The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music”
News4SA (NBC Affiliate – San Antonio, TX)
Cast & Crew

Julya Jara
Director, Producer, Editor

Cynthia Freeman Gibbs
Actress & Screenwriter

Lauren Anya Jwahir Hunter
Actress

Tanesha Payne
Dance

Veronica Williams
Mezzo-soprano

Michael Sumuel
Bass-baritone

Marc "Mockingbird" Smith
Voice & Guitar

Ron Wilkins
Trombocalist (Trombone & Vocals)

Aaron Prado, DMA
Piano, Composer

Arlington Jones
Piano

Brandon Rivas
Bass

Johnathan Alexander
Percussion

Beverly Houston & Breezin'
Vocals (with band)

Andrea Vocab Sanderson
Vocals, Poetry

Julya Jara
Director, Producer, Editor

Cynthia Freeman Gibbs
Actress & Screenwriter

Lauren Anya Jwahir Hunter
Actress

Tanesha Payne
Dance

Veronica Williams
Mezzo-soprano

Michael Sumuel
Bass-baritone

Marc "Mockingbird" Smith
Voice & Guitar

Ron Wilkins
Trombocalist (Trombone & Vocals)

Aaron Prado, DMA
Piano, Composer

Arlington Jones
Piano

Brandon Rivas
Bass

Johnathan Alexander
Percussion

Beverly Houston & Breezin'
Vocals (with band)

Andrea Vocab Sanderson
Vocals, Poetry
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Quilt Merchandise
Get yourself some “Quilt” merch featuring the graphics designed specifically for the film by artists Coral Díaz and Noelle Artigue! All purchases support Musical Bridges Around the World’s nonprofit programs and operations.






