Spark Storytellers proudly presents: Wally!
A celebration of rhythm, resilience, and a life that changed Columbus music forever.
Our Story
For more than four decades, one man has quietly shaped the sound, soul, and spirit of the Columbus jazz community. WALLY! is a narrative documentary honoring Wally Mitchell, an 85-year-old jazz percussionist whose steady presence, radical inclusivity, and humble devotion to music have left an indelible mark on generations of musicians and listeners alike.
Produced by Joey Viola & Michael Doody, WALLY! is an opportunity for Columbus to come together and celebrate a living legend.
THE PREMIERE AT STUDIO35
Next Showings:
NATALIE’S GRANDVIEW | MAY 11TH - SOLD OUT
GRANDVIEW THEATRE | JUNE 2026 | TICKETS NOT PUBLIC
COMFEST | DATE & TIME TBD
HOT TIMES FESTIVAL | DATE & TIME TBD
GCAC Funded | Committed to Diversity
Wally’s life is a living embodiment of the belief that art matters to all of us.
This film was made possible in part through funding from the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), whose Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access vision is:
“A thriving Columbus where the arts matter to all of us.”
WALLY! exists because that belief is not only aspirational… it is lived.
Long before inclusion was institutionalized, Wally Mitchell practiced it through action. Beginning in the mid-1960s, Wally made a point to bring Black musicians through the front doors of white clubs, defying the social norms of the time and creating space where music, not division, led the way. He carried that same openness into prison performances, community spaces, and weekly jazz sets that welcomed anyone willing to listen.
GCAC’s support directly enables us to preserve and elevate this story—one rooted in openness, access, and shared humanity. From a free, public premiere to a diverse range of interview voices and collaborators, the spirit of this project mirrors both GCAC’s mission and Wally’s life: art should be accessible, inclusive, and belong to everyone.
Wally’s life was his art. His openness was his legacy. This film honors both.
ABOUT THE FILM
Every Sunday night for over 40 years, Wally Mitchell has taken the stage at Dick’s Den. No fanfare. No ego. Just rhythm, generosity, and joy.
WALLY! artistically chronicles:
Wally’s early life, musical influences, and upbringing
His groundbreaking commitment to inclusion—welcoming Black musicians into white clubs in the 1960s
His prison performances and dedication to underserved communities
His lifelong humility and profound impact on the Columbus music scene
The film is scored entirely by Wally’s own live performance audio, allowing his sound to guide the story. The visual language of the film mirrors his playing style: improvisational, intentional, and deeply human.
INTERVIEWEES
INTERVIEWEES:
Wally Mitchel
Candice Watkins
Stan Smith
James “Smooth” Elliot
Tommy Smith
Tammy Smith
Shaun Booker
Vaughn Weister
Krista Wiliams
Brett Burleson
Aaron Scott
Matt Adams
Matt Paestch
Mark Donavan
Randy Mather
CREDITS
Film Originator & Coproducer: Michael Doody
Producer, Director, Grant Writer & Editor: Joey Viola
Audio: Bill Heingartner with Maddy Ciampa, Maxwell Sebastian Kilcup, & Chris Heidel
Re-recording Mixer Audio Engineer of Live Performances: Bill Heingartner
Cinematographic Language Advisor: Gerard Fontana Santoyo
Photographer: Chris Heidel
Videographers: Chris Heidel, Jon Ebright, John Lynch, Gerard Fontana Santoyo, Joey Viola, Matt Fetters, Manny Jenkins, Sam Delfino, Daniel Bush, Ben Pereira
Talent Scout: Sammie Machiato
