EXPLORATION
In New York City during the 1930’s lives the energy of late-night jazz celebrations and up and coming fighters striving to contract a bout for “Friday Night Fights” at Madison Square Garden. Charles Butch Hart (BUTCH), 6 years old Irish-Italian is being raised single handedly by his mother, Maria (singer) in Brooklyn since his father Michael John Hart (Irish boxer/band leader) has mysteriously disappeared. Maria struggles to make ends meet by engaging in midnight jazz gigs at the black-owned nightclub, Pop Pops, in the heart of segregated Harlem. Butch is entertained by regulars of the club and normally sits with Louise and Ronnie Savoy who come watch their husband/father, Miles, play trumpet with the Midnight Harmony Band. On Thanksgiving Night (1936), two Thugs enter the establishment and tragically assassinate Maria and Pop Pop. Butch is all alone with no parents to watch over him. What is he supposed do now? How will he survive and progress? All Butch knows about his family is his father has a sister named Claire and his mother is Italian. Miles Savoy always promised Maria that if anything happened to her that he would take care of Butch like one of his own. Butch courageously decides not to give up and dedicates the next seven years of his life to becoming the youngest band leader Harlem has ever seen. At the age of thirteen he decides to hit the road following his mother’s advice: of taking risks, exploring the world, and making an impact upon those he meets. Butch travels to places in time where music is either established and/or developing.
On the road Butch travels south on the train to New Orleans where he is introduced to Bebop and gospel, learns to tap dance, and play the piano. From there he becomes a ranch hand on a Texas ranch in the 50’s, enjoying the life of a cowboy and picking up the banjo. After a spiritual experience on the Navajo Reservation he finally makes it out west to Los Angeles in the 60's to become a band manager with his London love, Loretta, as they compete in the Battle of the Bands at the Hollywood Bowl.
Throughout his struggles and adventures Butch is constantly keeping correspondence with his Harlem brother that is trying to provide him with uplifting news about Butch’s family. Aunt Claire, an old Irish hippie, is finally discovered in San Francisco where she explains to Butch detailed stories about his parents, the rumors about his father, and the existence of his Uncle Pat, waiting for his arrival in Ireland. The journey continues as Loretta takes Butch to London. They indulge themselves in the punk movement of 70’s by opening up a small clothing boutique on the infamous Kings Road in Chelsea. After feuding over money and Loretta’s drug use, Butch ends the relationship and sails to Ireland alone to meet up with his uncle and a local Irish traditional band.
In Ireland Butch learns that his father was part of the largest prison break in Ireland and that he might be still alive. Butch fights an exhibition bout in his father’s old boxing gym and is surprised by Ronnie Savoy who has arranged a tribute concert in honor of Butch back home at Pop Pop’s (now a hip hop joint) in Harlem where he promised to return 40 years earlier.
In New York Butch is welcomed home by new Pop Pop’s owner, Clive Jones (CJ). CJ leads Butch through the front entrance for the first time of his life where he immediately feels at home. The tribute concert begins with an intense rap song where onstage performers and some of Butch’s crazy antics entertain the crowd. He continues the show by singing a beautiful jazz song (w/tap), a funny country tune (w/banjo/harmonica), and ending the night with his written song, Exploration. CJ comes on stage and thanks everyone involved in the planning of the event. A red boxing robe is presented to Butch as a gift while many of his old friends erupt with joy and praise.
Butch is finally reunited with his father as they take a needed trip to Flushing Cemetery in Queens where Maria Ann Maggi Hart lays in peace next to Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille. The incompleteness is finally put to rest as father and son are together once again as a family. A slide show of Butch's life seen through his camera is shown chronologically accompanied by all the celebrated songs throughout the movie.�
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