Music is a Living Thing with Jason Reynolds

Jason Reynolds, author of Soundtrack (Listening Library), an original audiobook performed by a stellar full cast—featuring Nile Bullock, Mekhi Hewling, Jade Williams, and more—and scored by Grammy‑winning composer Justin Ellington, joins Matthew to talk about being fascinated by what makes people do things.

Listen along:

About the book: Soundtrack by Jason Reynolds. Published by Listening Library.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds transports us back to the early 2000s in Soundtrack, an audiobook original about New York City teens whose talent and love of music lift them to unexpected heights.

Stuy wanted to play the drums just like his mom, a founding member of the punk band The Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. With his mother as his teacher, Stuy starts busking in the subway with his friends Dunks, Alexis, Keith, and Frankie under the name Soundtrack. To everyone’s surprise, including their own, they become an underground sensation, and their success changes the course of their lives.

Read by a full cast and with an original score by Grammy-winning composer Justin Ellington, award-winning author Jason Reynolds shows us a found family coming of age in a wonderfully complex city.

Cast List:

Nile Bullock as Stuy

Mekhi Hewling as Dunks

Jade Williams as Keith

Brandon Miles as Alexis

Ryan Vincent Anderson as Uncle Lucky

Amir Royale as Frankie

Jasmin Richardson as Stuy’s Mom

Christopher Grant as Dom

Khaya Fraites as Ashley

Nadine Simmons as Mrs. Dyson

Robb Moreira as Mr. Garcia

Wé Ani as Lisa

Rocky Anicette as Dylan

Brandiss Seward as Frankie’s Mom

with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, and Karla Moore

More:

Visit Jason Reynolds online at www.jasonwritesbooks.com

Transcript:

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit https://deepcast.fm/podcast/the-childrens-book-podcast