One of my greatest professional experiences was my performances with poet Ron Allen. We performed poetry and music with social and political meaning. My experience working with Ron Allen was in the early 1980`s. Ron Allen`s performance poetry was part of a Black Arts Movement that was essentially over in 1975, but continued into the 1980`s.
The Black Arts Movement was a group of politically motivated artist in poetry, art, drama, dance, and music during the Black Power Movement. Poet Imamu Amiri Baraka was recognized as a leading figure in this movement. After Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, Everett LeRoi Jones (aka Amiri Baraka) became interested in black nationalism, and founded Black Arts Repertory Theater. The Black Arts Movement began in 1965 when Everett LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka opened Black Arts Repertory Theater in Harlem.
Amiri Baraka was a Cultural Nationalist. Cultural Nationalist represented poets, novelist, visual artist, and actors to represent black history and culture. Revolutionary Nationalist were represented by the Black Panther Party. Both Cultural Nationalist and Revolutionary Nationalist were supporters of the Black Power Movement. In music there was collaboration between Cultural Nationalist and black musicians in jazz. Cultural Nationalist saw jazz as a black art form, and viewed jazz as more political than soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues. Also, black aesthetic was present in improvisational spontaneity of jazz.
Music in African American communities is based on spiritual merit, not solely on musical ability. Baraka stated jazz has a divine and other worldly purpose that translates into human experience of being inherently political. Black music is intrinsically connected to social circumstances. The blues is a collective consciousness and spirit that is an undercurrent of Black music, and speaks to experiences of Black people.
The Black Arts Movement ended in the 1970`s when Amiri Baraka became a Marxist. Black Arts Movement does not exist today, but its power as a movement can be herd today in current day rap and hip hop music.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Detroit Chamber Orchestra
No, this blog is not about the New Kids On The Block, nor any kids on any block, but about young adults performing in Detroit Chamber Orchestra. Of Detroit`s cultural institutions and serious performing arts ensembles, Detroit Chamber Orchestra is essentially the new kids on the block. DCO is a young professional ensemble based in Metro-Detroit presenting accessible performances throughout a scheduled concert series.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra founding members are Alyssa Campbell, Joseph Gray, and Jherrard Hardeman. According to members Detroit Chamber Orchestra`s main goal and philosophy is "to make classical music accessible to those who would otherwise not be exposed to it". DCO has performed works of Brahms, Warlock (Peter Warlock is the pen name of Philip Arnold Heseltine), Janacek, and Leroy Anderson`s Fiddle-Faddle.
Jherrard Hardeman is conductor of DCO. At age 18, Jherrard Hardeman was violinist, composer, and director of Chamber String Ensemble Music "Trayvon Martin". Jherrard Hardeman was also a special guest for James Tatum Foundation For The Arts, Inc. Classical & Jazz Benefit Gala Concert Pre 30th Year Anniversary Celebration, on March 20, 2016, at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall - The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, in Detroit, MI.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra will perform December 30, 2017, at 7:30 pm, for Mozart`s 40th Symphony, at Berkely First United Methodist Church, 2820 Twelve Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, concert free to the public. On this program DCO will present Sibelius Valse Trieste, and Elgar`s Serenade For Strings. For more information contact DCO by email at detroitchamberorchestra@gmail.com.
I am sure I am not alone when I welcome Detroit Chamber Orchestra to Detroit`s cultural community.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra founding members are Alyssa Campbell, Joseph Gray, and Jherrard Hardeman. According to members Detroit Chamber Orchestra`s main goal and philosophy is "to make classical music accessible to those who would otherwise not be exposed to it". DCO has performed works of Brahms, Warlock (Peter Warlock is the pen name of Philip Arnold Heseltine), Janacek, and Leroy Anderson`s Fiddle-Faddle.
Jherrard Hardeman is conductor of DCO. At age 18, Jherrard Hardeman was violinist, composer, and director of Chamber String Ensemble Music "Trayvon Martin". Jherrard Hardeman was also a special guest for James Tatum Foundation For The Arts, Inc. Classical & Jazz Benefit Gala Concert Pre 30th Year Anniversary Celebration, on March 20, 2016, at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall - The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, in Detroit, MI.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra will perform December 30, 2017, at 7:30 pm, for Mozart`s 40th Symphony, at Berkely First United Methodist Church, 2820 Twelve Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, concert free to the public. On this program DCO will present Sibelius Valse Trieste, and Elgar`s Serenade For Strings. For more information contact DCO by email at detroitchamberorchestra@gmail.com.
I am sure I am not alone when I welcome Detroit Chamber Orchestra to Detroit`s cultural community.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino: We are all faced with challenges, and some challenges can shake us to our core. Guitarist Pat Martino has faced those challenges. Pat M...
The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino
We are all faced with challenges, and some challenges can shake us to our core. Guitarist Pat Martino has faced those challenges. Pat Martino was born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1944, with the birth name of Pat Azzara. Pat Azzara began playing guitar at age twelve. When Pat Azzara was 14, his father, Carmen "Mickey"Azzara took him to see Wes Montgomery at a Philadelphia club. Pat Azzara was greatly influenced by Wes Montgomery, and as a youth Pat Azzara would memorize Wes Montgomery solos.
Pat Azzara left school in tenth grade, and his professional career began at age 15, after moving to New York City. Also, Pat Azzara changed his name to his father`s stage name "Martino". While in New York Pat Martino lived with Les Paul, and began playing jazz clubs.
In addition to jazz, Pat Azzara was also involved in Philadelphia`s early rock scene, but his first road gig was with jazz organist Charles Earland, who was a high school friend. Pat Martino would go on to play with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, Eric Kloss, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Jimmy Smith, Gene Ludwig, Bobby Pierce, and Joey DeFrancesco.
In 1976, Pat Martino began experiencing seizures. Pat Martino suffered a brain aneurysm which caused Pat Martino to loss almost all his memory. However, his comeback was truly amazing. With support from his mother and father, Pat Martino had to listen to his own albums, and he also had to relearn his instrument. After his medical challenges he resumed his career in 1987, with a performance that was recorded on CD called "The Return". After "The Return" Pat Martino would stop performing again when both his parents became ill. Pat Martino began playing again in 1994, after the deaths of his parents, with recordings of "Interchange", and "The Maker".
During Thanksgiving Pat Martino was in performance at Chris` Jazz Cafe, in Philadelphia, PA, for his yearly two night Thanksgiving engagement. If you are interested in seeing Pat Martino in performance, he will be performing in New York at Iridium in February, 2018, followed by performances in Germany and Austria.
Pat Azzara left school in tenth grade, and his professional career began at age 15, after moving to New York City. Also, Pat Azzara changed his name to his father`s stage name "Martino". While in New York Pat Martino lived with Les Paul, and began playing jazz clubs.
In addition to jazz, Pat Azzara was also involved in Philadelphia`s early rock scene, but his first road gig was with jazz organist Charles Earland, who was a high school friend. Pat Martino would go on to play with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, Eric Kloss, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Jimmy Smith, Gene Ludwig, Bobby Pierce, and Joey DeFrancesco.
In 1976, Pat Martino began experiencing seizures. Pat Martino suffered a brain aneurysm which caused Pat Martino to loss almost all his memory. However, his comeback was truly amazing. With support from his mother and father, Pat Martino had to listen to his own albums, and he also had to relearn his instrument. After his medical challenges he resumed his career in 1987, with a performance that was recorded on CD called "The Return". After "The Return" Pat Martino would stop performing again when both his parents became ill. Pat Martino began playing again in 1994, after the deaths of his parents, with recordings of "Interchange", and "The Maker".
During Thanksgiving Pat Martino was in performance at Chris` Jazz Cafe, in Philadelphia, PA, for his yearly two night Thanksgiving engagement. If you are interested in seeing Pat Martino in performance, he will be performing in New York at Iridium in February, 2018, followed by performances in Germany and Austria.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Michigan House
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Michigan House: Michigan House was created by Creative Many as a traveling pop-up space for musicians, and other creative people and disciplines. ...
Michigan House
Michigan House was created by Creative Many as a traveling pop-up space for musicians, and other creative people and disciplines.
Michigan House is about Michigan music, Michigan designs, and Michigan ideas. Michigan House is not only about sharing Michigan music, design, and ideas to Michiganders, but spreading Michigan creativity to other parts of our Country. One such collaboration of Michigan House is with South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas.
Highlighting Michigan musicians, artist and film makers, and showing Michigan creativity and design, Michigan House is a platform for showcasing economic, social, and creative capital to a national audience. "In 2014, these industries employed nearly 90,000 Michiganders in more that 10,700 establishments, generating nearly $5 billion in wages. Creativity and design are essential assets across Michigan`s economy." (Detroit Regional Chamber - Michigan House Returning To Austin This March - Posted on March 2, 2016).
In addition to Michigan House taking place in Austin, TX, Michigan House has also appeared in Grand Rapids, MI, for ArtPrize, and in Detroit, MI, for the North American International Auto Show. Michigan House is returning to Austin TX for the 2018 SXSW Festival.
Michigan House is about Michigan music, Michigan designs, and Michigan ideas. Michigan House is not only about sharing Michigan music, design, and ideas to Michiganders, but spreading Michigan creativity to other parts of our Country. One such collaboration of Michigan House is with South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas.
Highlighting Michigan musicians, artist and film makers, and showing Michigan creativity and design, Michigan House is a platform for showcasing economic, social, and creative capital to a national audience. "In 2014, these industries employed nearly 90,000 Michiganders in more that 10,700 establishments, generating nearly $5 billion in wages. Creativity and design are essential assets across Michigan`s economy." (Detroit Regional Chamber - Michigan House Returning To Austin This March - Posted on March 2, 2016).
In addition to Michigan House taking place in Austin, TX, Michigan House has also appeared in Grand Rapids, MI, for ArtPrize, and in Detroit, MI, for the North American International Auto Show. Michigan House is returning to Austin TX for the 2018 SXSW Festival.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music and Brain Science
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music and Brain Science: Have you been to Downtown Detroit to see and hear the jazz festival? Although this blog has nothing to do with the jazz festival, the r...
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