Jim Jewell Documentary Project

Thank You Jim Jewell for the Use of Your Piano is a feature length documentary that highlights the life and art of Jim Jewell, as well as the lasting impact he has on the Illinois Valley. We are in the early stages of the project, and have conducted nine interviews with friends, co-workers, former students, and fellow artists. But we have barely scratched the surface of Jim’s story.

Throughout the summer, we plan to continue interviews with Jim’s friends and colleagues. But we hope to take our efforts beyond the Illinois Valley to interview family, high-school classmates, and college professors in Jim’s home state of Indiana. We also have connected with a handful of Jim’s colleagues that left the area after he passed, and plan to meet with them as we cover ground as far as Texas and Arizona. Jim’s legacy is kept alive through stories, and hearing from those who were privileged enough to know him is allowing us to paint a detailed picture of a man whose story deserves to be shared.

Donations to the project will go towards allowing us to collect as many interviews as possible, and getting the most from Jim’s story as possible. We appreciate the support of the community on this project. Most importantly, we would like to thank Jim Jewell for the use of his piano.