Adam Reim is a senior at Rowan University who has been a huge name in the radio, television, and film department. Last year, from October to January, he worked with a jazz musician, Leo Gadson, who was born and raised in Philadelphia, to create a documentary based on his life and the impact music had on him. The documentary was screened for the first time at Rowan University last Thursday, followed by a Q&A with Reim and Gadson, as well as a special episode of RU Listening that featured a Jazz Quartet. 

The documentary was a piece about a man who has dedicated his entire life to music. Gadson and the Producers Guild, which he uses to give people of his community an opportunity to go and enjoy live music. The documentary delved into his journey as a man with a family and a life to support, and how he did that all while pursuing his passion for music. 

Gadson described Reim wanting to do a documentary on him after so many years of being unrecognized.

“Stay focused, stay on track, and keep it up. I’ve been doing this for fifty years, and they just started recognizing and that shocked me,” Gadson said.  

Reim took the approach of having the final version of the documentary be black and white with most of the footage, that were not interviews, by himself, his camera, and Gadson. The creative choice to have it be himself and Gadson gives the documentary a much more personal feeling and evokes all the right emotions from the audience. 

“I heard about his story and I had this idea of making a documentary for my journalism class of a really cool story about a really cool guy,” said Reim on his inspiration to make this documentary.

This documentary was just the beginning of Gadson’s stardom. Showcased by Reim’s work through the film, the world of music has been introduced to Gadson’s hard work and his passion for helping young musicians come to light. The Documentary also featured the students that Gadson has mentored through the Producers Guild and how their lives as musicians have been impacted by him, not only as musicians but as people. 

“I think that what’s happening is that this is just the beginning, and this documentary is a great introduction to the world of who Leo Gadson is,” said Elijah Bringle, one of Gadson’s close friends. 

The documentary also portrayed what life was like for Gadson’s wife to watch her husband build this music career for so long. It was difficult for so many people to watch Gadson work so hard without recognition, and Reim gave Gadson the recognition he deserved. There are many different roles the audience sees Gadson in, whether it be a teacher, husband, or musician; you see how much he cares about every aspect of his life. It is a testament to Gadson’s true passion for music that he has spent so long doing this for love of it rather than for fame, but now with this documentary, his time has come.

“I went to a place where there was death and destruction. The music calms me down. All kinds of music, your music, my music, just listen to it,” said Gadson.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]