Song of Pumpkin Brown was produced, written, and directed by Charleston-based independent filmmaker Brad Jayne in collaboration with Osprey Production Group. It was shot over seven days on-location in Charleston and on Edisto Island. Funded by a $100,000 grant from the South Carolina Film Office, photography on this independent short film project was completed in December 2006. The film’s unique combination of jazz music, stunning cinematography, uniquely structured script, and powerful performances, has created a momentum within the international film community even prior to its premiere.
Song of Pumpkin Brown incorporates source material and photographs from the Charleston Jazz Initiative’s (CJI) archival collection as a base for its script and cinematography. CJI is a jazz history and research project – an academic and community partnership — with the College of Charleston’s Arts Management Program, Avery Research Center, and several Charleston-based community leaders and organizations.