American Masters, Roberta Flack

PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):

Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9 PM
Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 2 AM

Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):

Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 PM 

Sunday, Jan. 29, at 3 PM

From “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly” and beyond, Roberta Flack gave voice to a global soundtrack of beauty and pain, love and anguish, hope and struggle. AMERICAN MASTERS illuminates where reality, memory and imagination mix to present music icon Roberta Flack, a brilliant artist who transformed popular culture, in her own words. 

With exclusive access to Flack’s archives of film, performances, home movies, unreleased music and more, the film documents how Flack’s musical virtuosity was inseparable from her lifelong commitment to civil rights. Flack’s story is illuminated through interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor Clint Eastwood, artist Yoko Ono and many more.

In addition to Flack’s timeless music, the film also features an original score from award-winning musician Martin Perna of the group Antibalas.