Questlove says Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee and his “awesome team” were assets in making 'Summer of Soul'

Photo credit: Greg Noire

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson admits he was “in panic mode” when he decided to put out his directorial debut Summer of Soul, a documentary-film which chronicles the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. 

“I called Ava up a lot,” Thompson reveals to ABC Audio. “Just to get names.. and know, “ should I look for — a writing director, cinematographer?’ That sort of thing.’”

While the Roots drummer shares that he “called up” other directors like Ernest Dickerson and Spike Lee to get advice, he says he felt comfort in knowing that he “also had the right team.”

“I.. was fully transparent with them,” Questlove says. “Like, ‘Look, this