Martha Redbone: Guardian Spirit - The Words of bell hooks Cast

Martha Redbone is a vocalist/songwriter/composer/educator, known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues, and gospel from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn. Redbone is deeply committed to youth education and preserving traditional music, routinely leading Southeastern Traditional Singing Workshops for tribal communities like the United Houma Nation. She works closely as an artist advocate for WhyHunger, serves as an advisor for the Man Up Campaign to eradicate gender-based violence, and received the National HIV/AIDS Partnership Red Ribbon Award at the United Nations in 2005 for her community leadership. She is a recipient of the Kentucky Governor’s Award for the Arts and is an honored United States Artist Fellow.

Aaron Whitby is an award-winning British record producer, composer, songwriter, pianist, and music director. Born and raised in London, England, he relocated to Brooklyn, New York in 1997. He is best known for his extensive personal and creative partnership with his wife, the acclaimed singer-songwriter Martha Redbone. Together, they co-created the unique musical subgenre known as "Native Soul". Throughout his career, Whitby has collaborated with an array of legendary musical artists, including George Clinton, Natalie Cole, and Randy Brecker. : In addition to his collaborative productions, Whitby leads his own jazz-funk fusion project. His debut album as a frontman under this moniker, Cousin From Another Planet, features a live music experience integrated with video art. The project earned critical acclaim from the late music writer Greg Tate.