Eva Jessye: Gifted Black Choral Director Behind the Success of Porgy and Bess.

Eva Jessye, born in Coffeyville, KS, and a graduate of Western University in Quindaro, KS, was choral director for the American folk-opera classic Porgy and Bess. The only African American on the production team, she was responsible for shaping the musical arrangements and working with the singers to give the play its authenticity. This clip is from the documentary, "I'm So Glad: Kansas City and The Roots of Black Gospel Music; The Untold Story," which includes an interview with Kansas blues performer and historian Lemuel Sheppard and narration by Kansas City gospel music director and composer Isaac Cates.