The Vanishing of Harry Pace: Episode 1

The Vanishing of Harry Pace is a six-part series created by Jad Abumrad and Shima Oliaee that explores the life and legacy of Harry Pace, the founder of Black Swan Records. Harry Pace founded Black Swan Records exactly 100 years ago and played a significant role in shaping the American music scene. He launched the career of Ethel Waters, inadvertently invented the term rock n roll, and helped W.C. Handy become known as the "Father of the Blues." Pace also inspired the creation of Ebony and Jet magazines and contributed to the desegregation of the South Side of Chicago through a landmark Supreme Court battle. Despite his impressive achievements, Pace disappeared from the public eye, leaving behind a legacy that has been largely forgotten. The series delves into the story of Pace's life, exploring themes of betrayal, family, hidden identities, and the tumultuous time period in which he lived. The Vanishing of Harry Pace was produced in collaboration with several notable authors, scholars, and musicians, including Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, and Cord Jefferson. The series features interviews with over 40 musicians, historians, writers, and musicologists, as well as Pace's descendants, who grapple with his enduring legacy. The series is based on the book Black Swan Blues: the Hard Rise and Brutal Fall of America’s First Black Owned Record Label by Paul Slade, which provides a comprehensive account of Pace's life and the rise and fall of Black Swan Records. The story of Harry Pace is a complex and fascinating one, full of twists and turns that have been hidden from the public eye for far too long, and this series aims to shed light on his remarkable life and legacy.