Writer Peter Guralnick to present Sam Cooke documentary at Vanderbilt

The author of an acclaimed biography of Sam Cooke will screen his Grammy-winning 2003 documentary about the groundbreaking soul singer, songwriter and entrepreneur as part of Vanderbilt University‘s International Lens film series.

The Feb. 10 screening of Sam Cooke: Legend at Vanderbilt‘s Sarratt Cinema in the Sarratt Student Center, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, is free and open to the public. It begins at 7 p.m.

Peter Guralnick, author of Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke and writer and interviewer for the documentary, will introduce the film and take questions afterwards. Guralnick, also author of a two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, is a writer in residence at Vanderbilt.

“[Cooke] wrote his own songs, hired his own musicians, and started his own record label and music publishing company–all at a time when record companies treated black artists like hired help,” Guralnick writes in Dream Boogie.

The International Lens film series strives to transcend geographic, ethnic, religious, linguistic and political boundaries by promoting conversation through cinema. The series is a partnership among the Office of the Dean of Students and academic departments, centers and programs.

The screening of Sam Cooke: Legend is partially sponsored by the English Department at Vanderbilt.

Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu

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