The Essence Of Eva Cassidy in Washington DC
Eva Cassidy (1963 – 1996) recorded a lot of music that her fans can still enjoy every day. Recordings in which the singer can be heard speaking are much rarer, and video footage is also scarce. The Eva Cassidy band has never even been photographed together.
Additional audio and video footage on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8h0AHGTi0m4
Filmmakers Alex Fegan and Malcom Willis were therefore delighted that Alona Wartofsky had rediscovered the audio-footage of her conversation with Eva in 1992. Wartofsky interviewed the singer for the Washington City Paper following the release of the album she had just made with the Godfather of GoGo, Chuck Brown: The Other Side. This allowed Fegan and Willis to let Eva’s voice speak in the documentary The Essence of Eva, which has been screened at several film festivals in European countries.
Eva Cassidy
On 22 and 23 April, the documentary was screened in Eva’s hometown of Washington DC in the presence of her family, friends and fellow musicians. Afterwards, Barbara Cassidy and guitarist Keith Grimes answered questions from the moved audience of Film Fest DC. The film won the Audience Award at this festival and was named ‘best documentary’.
Keith Grimes and Malcolm Willis
Alona Wartofsky, who had rediscovered the audio tape, wrote an enthusiastic review in the Washington City Paper. Here are some excerpts:
‘This documentary is most compelling when we hear from Cassidy’s parents, siblings, and close friends, including Chris Biondo, who performed with her and produced many of her recordings. These loved ones provide insights into unassuming and occasionally self-deprecating young woman who thought her head was shaped like the Peanuts character Charlie Brown’s. But the film also emphasises Cassidy’s unwavering commitment to the music she loved.’
‘In this richly detailed portrait Cassidy comes across as a supremely talented vocalist who was also drawn to painting and the natural world. But she was funny too, gently teasing Bryan McCulley as he filmed and performing soft-shoe shuffles in front of rows of poinsettias at Behnke’s Nurseries in Beltsville where she worked. Along with devastatingly beautiful stage performances, The Essence of Eva offers heart wrenching and deeply evocative moments, such as when Barbara Cassidy is struggling to make sense of her daughter’s death, wonders aloud whether performing at large venues ‘would have been burdensome for her.’’
Barbara Cassidy and Malcolm Willis
You can help the filmmakers get their documentary onto international TV and streaming services. Outlets check IMDb ratings first. If you can click the stars on the film’s IMDb page, it would be a huge help! Rate here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37455099/
21 responses to “The Essence Of Eva Cassidy in Washington DC”
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As soon as the documentary is available for everyone we will let you know!
I NEED to see this.
Would love to be able to see this documentary on Netflix or ant other streaming. Knew Eva and saw her perform several times. It was a sad dsy indeed when she passed. Gone way too soon.
How can we all get to see this doc? I’ve listened to Eva for many years! Read the one book written about her life. Gifted singer!
I would love to see this documentary of Eve. I love every song of hers, she is simply marvelous.
Hope it is on Netflix
Please, please find a way to stream this. There are countless numbers of Eva admirers out there. I was a professional singer and to this day, I can’t remember another singer who delivers every note with such honesty and sincerity. She was a marvel.
I love Eva’s music. It has somehow helped me through some of the grief of losing my son to melanoma 2.5 years ago. He was 45 years old, a loving son, musician, and an engineer who cared deeply about the future of the earth. A dear friend sang Eva’s arrangements of “Some Where Over the Rainbow” and “Imagine” at his celebration of life. It is so hard to accept losing my son to this horrible cancer. Thank you for Eva’s comforting, beautiful music. ????
I found Evas music quite by accident and have been listening to it every since, my favorite, Somewhere over the rainbow.
I was in a wedding around 2001 and her BEAUTIFUL cover of Songbird was played as the processional began.
Please Netflix!!
Where can I see this documentary? She was my favorite singer!
Would give anything to see The Essence of Eva….
needsto be nationally released…..
Please get this documentary on a streaming service. There are probably plenty of subscription-paying customers of Netflix, YouTube, Prime, who are already or may become Eva fans who would support. THANKS.
Please share this story. I’m so sad I wasn’t able to hear Eva. Love her voice and I’m from the area she grew up in.
For the longest time, Sam Cooke was my favorite singer. Then I heard Eva Cassidy… Cooke is still a favorite male singer, but Ms Cassidy is easily his equal.
Eva’s cover of Danny Boy truly expresses the deep, poignancy of that song, like no other vocalist I’ve ever heard. God, what a voice, and a soul to back it up.
Beautiful
I don’t remember when I first heard a song by her but I was amazed as the clear tone of her voice.
Then I found her CD’s and play them over and over. I keep sharing her musical talent with anyone that comes in my door and hears her melodic voice!
The best person and the beatifull voice ever.
❤️❤️❤️