Fan Casting Keys of Freedom: The Jimmy Yancey Story

Set in the smoky clubs of early 20th-century Chicago, Keys of Freedom is a riveting biopic miniseries chronicling the life of Jimmy Yancey, the unsung pioneer of boogie-woogie piano. Through his electrifying music and quiet determination, Yancey transformed the pulse of American music, influencing countless musicians while navigating the struggles of a rapidly changing world. The series delves into Yancey’s humble beginnings in a family of vaudeville performers and his journey from a child prodigy to a trailblazer in a genre that bridged blues, jazz, and the roots of rock ‘n’ roll. Against the backdrop of Chicago's vibrant South Side, viewers witness Yancey’s rise as a working-class hero who balanced a day job as a groundskeeper with nights igniting piano keys. Through the lens of his relationships—with his wife, Estelle "Mama" Yancey, a blues singer who shared his passion for music, and his contemporaries like Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons—Keys of Freedom captures the personal and professional challenges of a Black artist thriving amidst racial segregation and the Great Depression. The series doesn’t shy away from the bittersweet realities of Yancey’s life, including his late recognition and enduring influence on American music.