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GRAMMY WINNER WYCLEF JEAN GUEST-STARS AS LEGENDARY CURTIS MAYFIELD IN THE SEASON FINALE OF NBC'S 'AMERICAN DREAMS'
Published: March 25, 2004
Alex Band and Aaron Kamin of The Calling and Jack Ford of "Living it Up! with Ali & Jack" also star in the episode.
Burbank, Calif. -- March 25, 2004 -- Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean, formerly of The Fugees, performs as R&B great Curtis Mayfield in the second-season finale of NBC's critically acclaimed drama, "American Dreams," airing Sunday, April 4 (8-9 p.m. ET).
In the episode titled "No Way Out" Wyclef Jean will perform his rendition of the late Mayfield's "Woman's Got Soul." Also appearing are Alex Band and Aaron Kamin, members of the local Los Angeles band The Calling, as college protest singers, performing The Beatles' "Nowhere Man."
In addition, Jack Ford ("Living it Up! with Ali & Jack") does a turn as a college professor speaking at the anti-war rally.
Wyclef Jean launched a prolific solo career after parting from the Grammy Award-winning group, The Fugees, with "The Carnival" in 1997. His music, which fuses hip-hop with jazz and reggae, is influenced by legendary songwriters such as Mayfield (who is also known for his searing "Superfly" album), Jimmy Cliff, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. In his most recent album, "The Preacher's Son," Wyclef Jean focuses on his songwriting and his Haitian roots.
Discovered by a staff member for an RCA's A&R, Band and Kamin formed their local Los Angeles alternative rock band, The Calling. Their 2001 debut album, "Camino Palmero," yielded their hit "Wherever You Will Go."
Emmy Award-winner Jack Ford is the co-host of "Living it Up! with Ali & Jack" (with Ali Wentworth). Previously, he was an anchor/correspondent for "Good Morning America" and "20/20." He also had spent five years at NBC News, serving as co-anchor of the "Today" weekend editions, and as chief legal correspondent for the NBC network.
"American Dreams," which won two Emmy Awards in its freshman season last year, is set against the memorable, upbeat sounds of the 1960s. The drama depicts the American landscape -- as seen through the youthful Pryor family of Philadelphia as they brace for the cultural turbulence ahead that still resonates in this contemporary era.
"American Dreams" is from NBC Studios and Universal Television. Dick Clark and Jonathan Prince are executive producers.