Born to R&B and soul music royalty, Lalah Hathaway '94 is known to most people simply as the daughter of late soul music legend Donny Hathaway. But there is more to her than that. A trained pianist and vocalist, she is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and her career has spanned two decades. Twenty-one years after the release of her first LP, her career continues to thrive. Hathaway will be performing with Berklee students.
Born to R&B and soul music royalty, Lalah Hathaway '94 is known to most people simply as the daughter of late soul music legend Donny Hathaway. But there is more to her than that. A trained pianist and vocalist, she is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and her career has spanned two decades. Twenty-one years after the release of her first LP, her career continues to thrive. Hathaway will be performing with Berklee students.
$8, $13 in advance (discount applied at checkout); $12, $17 day of show, reserved seating
Grammy Award-winning composer, recording artist, and band leader Maria Schneider's orchestral jazz music has been described as evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and beyond categorization. Schneider visits Berklee to talk about her work. Read the press release.
Grammy Award-winning composer, recording artist, and band leader Maria Schneider's orchestral jazz music has been described as evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and beyond categorization. Schneider visits Berklee to talk about her work. Read the press release.
Mint Condition is known for its great musicianship and dazzling live shows. Tonight the band will stretch out even further to show how jazz informs its sound. The group helps kick off the performance and lecture series Jazz as Culture, Language, Being, and Music, presented by Berklee's Africana Studies/Music and Society initiative. Read more about the concert.
Mint Condition is known for its great musicianship and dazzling live shows. Tonight the band will stretch out even further to show how jazz informs its sound. The group helps kick off the performance and lecture series Jazz as Culture, Language, Being, and Music, presented by Berklee's Africana Studies/Music and Society initiative. Read more about the concert.
Berklee alumnus Kendrick Oliver, who first led a big band 15 years ago during his sophomore year, combines go-for-broke swing and orchestral punch with a dose of spiritual uplift as the bandleader of the New Life Jazz Orchestra. Read more about the series.
Berklee alumnus Kendrick Oliver, who first led a big band 15 years ago during his sophomore year, combines go-for-broke swing and orchestral punch with a dose of spiritual uplift as the bandleader of the New Life Jazz Orchestra. Read more about the series.
Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism in the Age of Obama
Tim Wise—one of America's most vocal and prolific anti-racism speakers and authors—presents this vital and thought-provoking lecture. Presented by the Office for Cultural Diversity.
Tim Wise—one of America's most vocal and prolific anti-racism speakers and authors—presents this vital and thought-provoking lecture. Presented by the Office for Cultural Diversity.
Free
Africana Studies Music Series
Saying Sounds: Bob Blumenthal Show with special guest Greg Osby
Acclaimed jazz critic, author, and former RIAA commissioner Bob Blumenthal interviews Greg Osby, who shines just as brightly in his own realm. The saxophonist, composer, and producer has made an indelible mark on contemporary jazz as an ensemble leader and as a guest artist playing with Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and many others. The evening will include live music by Osby's band. Read the press release.
Acclaimed jazz critic, author, and former RIAA commissioner Bob Blumenthal interviews Greg Osby, who shines just as brightly in his own realm. The saxophonist, composer, and producer has made an indelible mark on contemporary jazz as an ensemble leader and as a guest artist playing with Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and many others. The evening will include live music by Osby's band. Read the press release.
The bassist, vocalist, and composer Esperanza Spalding performs with her band. As Berklee President Roger H. Brown told Down Beat magazine, the faculty member and recent graduate "incorporates her voice with her instrument in a way in which neither is the accompanist." Learn more about this music series.
The bassist, vocalist, and composer Esperanza Spalding performs with her band. As Berklee President Roger H. Brown told Down Beat magazine, the faculty member and recent graduate "incorporates her voice with her instrument in a way in which neither is the accompanist." Learn more about this music series.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a group of young African-American string band musicians, hailing from the green hills of the North Carolina Piedmont to sunny Arizona, sharing the tradition of music as a culture and way of life. They bring their washboards, jugs, bones, and kazoos into the BPC for a homegrown night of fiddle and banjo music.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a group of young African-American string band musicians, hailing from the green hills of the North Carolina Piedmont to sunny Arizona, sharing the tradition of music as a culture and way of life. They bring their washboards, jugs, bones, and kazoos into the BPC for a homegrown night of fiddle and banjo music.
Three student ensembles showcase the music of the Caribbean. The Bob Marley Ensemble, directed by Matt Jenson, the Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Ron Reid, and the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, directed by Ricardo Monzon, bring some welcome warm weather to midwinter Boston. Grammy-nominated trombonist and Berklee alumnus William Cepeda—who has created a music style titled Afro-Rican jazz and has worked with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Celia Cruz, and Eddie Palmieri—will be a special guest performer for the evening.
Learn more about the series.
Three student ensembles showcase the music of the Caribbean. The Bob Marley Ensemble, directed by Matt Jenson, the Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Ron Reid, and the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, directed by Ricardo Monzon, bring some welcome warm weather to midwinter Boston. Grammy-nominated trombonist and Berklee alumnus William Cepeda—who has created a music style titled Afro-Rican jazz and has worked with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Celia Cruz, and Eddie Palmieri—will be a special guest performer for the evening.
Learn more about the series.
An interview and performance with Henry Grimes and avant-garde jazz music. Presented by Herman Hampton, and emceed by Ralph Rosen, Media Center Manger, Stan Getz Media Center and Library, at Berklee.
Master jazz musician (acoustic bass, violin) Henry Grimes comes to Berklee after having played more than 300 concerts in 23 countries (including many festivals) since May 2003, when he made his astonishing return to the music world after 35 years away. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended the Mastbaum School and Juilliard. In the '50s and '60s, he came up in the music playing and touring with Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson, "Bullmoose" Jackson, Little Willie John, and a number of other great r&b/soul musicians; but drawn to jazz, he went on to play, tour, and record with many great jazz musicians of that era, including Albert Ayler, Don Cherry, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Haynes, Lee Konitz, Steve Lacy, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Sunny Murray, Sonny Rollins, Roswell Rudd, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, and McCoy Tyner.
Sadly, a trip to the West Coast to work with Al Jarreau and Jon Hendricks went awry, leaving Grimes in Los Angeles at the end of the '60s with a broken bass he couldn't pay to repair, so he sold it for a small sum and faded away from the music world. Many years passed with nothing heard from him, as he lived in his tiny rented room in an S.R.O. hotel in downtown Los Angeles, working as a manual laborer, custodian, and maintenance man, and writing many volumes of handwritten poetry. He was discovered there by a Georgia social worker and fan in 2002 and was given a bass by William Parker; after only a few weeks of ferocious woodshedding, Grimes emerged from his room to begin playing concerts around Los Angeles and shortly afterwards, made a triumphant return to New York City in May 2003 to play in the Vision Festival.
Since then, often working as a leader, he has played, toured, and/or recorded with many of today's music heroes, such as Rashied Ali, Marshall Allen, Fred Anderson, Marilyn Crispell, Ted Curson, Andrew Cyrille, Bill Dixon, Dave Douglas, Andrew Lamb, David Murray, William Parker, Marc Ribot, and Cecil Taylor. Grimes has also given a number of workshops and master classes on major campuses, released several new recordings, made his professional debut on a second instrument (the violin) at the age of 70, has now published the first volume of his poetry Signs Along the Road, and has been creating illustrations to accompany his new recordings and publications. He has received many honors in recent years, including four Meet the Composer grants and a grant from the Acadia Foundation. He can be heard on more than 80 recordings on various labels, including Atlantic, Ayler Records, Blue Note, Columbia, ESP-Disk, Impulse!, JazzNewYork Productions, Pi Recordings, Porter Records, Prestige, Riverside, and Verve. Grimes now lives and teaches in New York City.
An interview and performance with Henry Grimes and avant-garde jazz music. Presented by Herman Hampton, and emceed by Ralph Rosen, Media Center Manger, Stan Getz Media Center and Library, at Berklee.
Master jazz musician (acoustic bass, violin) Henry Grimes comes to Berklee after having played more than 300 concerts in 23 countries (including many festivals) since May 2003, when he made his astonishing return to the music world after 35 years away. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended the Mastbaum School and Juilliard. In the '50s and '60s, he came up in the music playing and touring with Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson, "Bullmoose" Jackson, Little Willie John, and a number of other great r&b/soul musicians; but drawn to jazz, he went on to play, tour, and record with many great jazz musicians of that era, including Albert Ayler, Don Cherry, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Haynes, Lee Konitz, Steve Lacy, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Sunny Murray, Sonny Rollins, Roswell Rudd, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, and McCoy Tyner.
Sadly, a trip to the West Coast to work with Al Jarreau and Jon Hendricks went awry, leaving Grimes in Los Angeles at the end of the '60s with a broken bass he couldn't pay to repair, so he sold it for a small sum and faded away from the music world. Many years passed with nothing heard from him, as he lived in his tiny rented room in an S.R.O. hotel in downtown Los Angeles, working as a manual laborer, custodian, and maintenance man, and writing many volumes of handwritten poetry. He was discovered there by a Georgia social worker and fan in 2002 and was given a bass by William Parker; after only a few weeks of ferocious woodshedding, Grimes emerged from his room to begin playing concerts around Los Angeles and shortly afterwards, made a triumphant return to New York City in May 2003 to play in the Vision Festival.
Since then, often working as a leader, he has played, toured, and/or recorded with many of today's music heroes, such as Rashied Ali, Marshall Allen, Fred Anderson, Marilyn Crispell, Ted Curson, Andrew Cyrille, Bill Dixon, Dave Douglas, Andrew Lamb, David Murray, William Parker, Marc Ribot, and Cecil Taylor. Grimes has also given a number of workshops and master classes on major campuses, released several new recordings, made his professional debut on a second instrument (the violin) at the age of 70, has now published the first volume of his poetry Signs Along the Road, and has been creating illustrations to accompany his new recordings and publications. He has received many honors in recent years, including four Meet the Composer grants and a grant from the Acadia Foundation. He can be heard on more than 80 recordings on various labels, including Atlantic, Ayler Records, Blue Note, Columbia, ESP-Disk, Impulse!, JazzNewYork Productions, Pi Recordings, Porter Records, Prestige, Riverside, and Verve. Grimes now lives and teaches in New York City.
Watch a national broadcast as several members of the Berklee community—including Esperanza Spalding and Diana Krall—perform at the White House, in a tribute to Stevie Wonder, hosted by President Obama.
Several members of the Berklee community will participate in a tribute to Stevie Wonder, who will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize, at a White House event hosted by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Berklee alumni Diana Krall and Esperanza Spalding and new college trustee Paul Simon will perform. Berklee President Roger H. Brown and his wife Linda Mason will attend.
PBS will broadcast the performance nationwide. Boston viewers can watch the program at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 (WGBH 2) and Friday, February 27 (WGBH 44).
Pianist, composer, and educator Geri Allen presents the world premiere of her solo piano work, "Refractions, Flying Toward the Sound." Allen received a Guggenheim Fellowship to create this composition, which celebrates the humanity and embraces the continuity of innovation in jazz, as personified by three of the revolutionary pianist-composers—Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Cecil Taylor. Learn more about the series.
Pianist, composer, and educator Geri Allen presents the world premiere of her solo piano work, "Refractions, Flying Toward the Sound." Allen received a Guggenheim Fellowship to create this composition, which celebrates the humanity and embraces the continuity of innovation in jazz, as personified by three of the revolutionary pianist-composers—Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Cecil Taylor. Learn more about the series.
Matt Jenson, assistant professor of piano, created the class The Music and Life of Bob Marley, and has been teachinig the course since 2002. The class studies Marley's life in-depth, maintaining the utmost respect for the soulfulness of his music, for his message of love, and his insistence that human consciousness be raised.
The one-semester class consist of 15 auditioned singers and instrumentalists from around the world, ranging in age from 18-35. Jenson takes the students on a biographical tour of Marley's fascinating life, and then rigorously coaches the ensemble for performances. The ensemble performs Jenson's meticulously written arrangements of the Jamaican icon's music, taken directly from Marley recordings and including additional horn parts, reharmonizations, and some new introductions and endings.
The Berklee Bob Marley Ensemble has performed at the Montreal International Reggae Festival, the Vermont Reggae Festival, Bill's Bar, the Outerland Club (Martha's Vineyard), the Beachcomber (Cape Cod), the Stone Church (Newmarket, New Hampshire), the Berklee Performance Center, and Roxbury Community College.
Since 2003, Nneka has been working closely with German hip-hop beatmaker DJ Farhot. She has supported artists such as Femi Kuti, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Paul, and Gnarls Barkley. In February 2008 she released her second album, which combined the personal and the political to talk about the plight of the Niger Delta and the corruption in Nneka's homeland.
The Afro DZ ak All-Starz originated as the backing band for Boston-based MC/trumpet player Afro DZ ak, but has since evolved into a well-balanced collective of singers, MCs, and instrumentalists with a smooth, unique, funky style, blending original tunes with covers of artists such as Common, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, and Jill Scott.
Keppie Coutts revels in the new wave of folk fusion—acoustic-based song that steps inside jazz, soul, and quirky pop.
The Roots and Reason series kicks off on a night blues, gospel, and bluegrass. Guest artist Ben Payton, a Delta blues guitarist from Mississippi, will perform.
Roots music is a chronicle of the ongoing story of America told through song. The Africana Studies program at Berklee presents students, faculty, and very special guests in a celebration of traditions from West Africa, the Caribbean, and rural America. *Please note: The band the Roots will not be performing at this show. Learn more about the event.
The Roots and Reason series kicks off on a night blues, gospel, and bluegrass. Guest artist Ben Payton, a Delta blues guitarist from Mississippi, will perform.
Roots music is a chronicle of the ongoing story of America told through song. The Africana Studies program at Berklee presents students, faculty, and very special guests in a celebration of traditions from West Africa, the Caribbean, and rural America. *Please note: The band the Roots will not be performing at this show. Learn more about the event.
Lionel Loueke is a Berklee alumnus who grew up in Benin, West Africa. His new album, Karibu, combines West African roots traditions with jazz. Loueke also appears on Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. Learn more about the Roots and Reason series.
Lionel Loueke is a Berklee alumnus who grew up in Benin, West Africa. His new album, Karibu, combines West African roots traditions with jazz. Loueke also appears on Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. Learn more about the Roots and Reason series.
This year's Africana Studies Music Programming celebrates the richness of America’s roots music traditions. The roots music artist is the chronicler of the ongoing story of America, told through song. Roots music is the intermingling of cross-cultural influences. Johnny Cash once said, "Every successful country singer I know has a humble background. . . and the colored blues has been a part of their musical heritage. Every one of them bar none. Elvis will tell you himself that where he got his style is from colored blues singers." From this fusion and sharing of American cultures came spirituals, blues, gospel, folk, country, and bluegrass—the roots of all American popular music.
Roots and Reason: A Celebration of American Roots Music
This year's Africana Studies music programming celebrates the richness of America’s roots music traditions. The roots music artist is the chronicler of the ongoing story of America, told through song. Roots music is the intermingling of cross-cultural influences. Johnny Cash once said, "Every successful country singer I know has a humble background. . . and the colored blues has been a part of their musical heritage. Every one of them bar none. Elvis will tell you himself that where he got his style is from colored blues singers."
From this fusion and sharing of American cultures came spirituals, blues, gospel, folk, country, and bluegrass—the roots of all American popular music.
Roots and Reason: A Celebration of American Roots Music
Roots and Reason Concert / Carter Lecture: Bernice Johnson Reagon / Toshi Reagon
Bernice Johnson Reagon is a singer, composer, scholar, and social activist who founded the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1973. Toshi Reagon, her daughter, is also a singer and songwriter. Learn more about the Roots and Reason series.
Bernice Johnson Reagon is a singer, composer, scholar, and social activist who founded the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1973. Toshi Reagon, her daughter, is also a singer and songwriter. They perform as part of the Roots and Reason concert series and the Warrick L. Carter Lecture series. Learn more about the event and the Roots and Reason series.
This year's Africana Studies music programming celebrates the richness of America’s roots music traditions. The roots music artist is the chronicler of the ongoing story of America, told through song. Roots music is the intermingling of cross-cultural influences. Johnny Cash once said, "Every successful country singer I know has a humble background. . . and the colored blues has been a part of their musical heritage. Every one of them bar none. Elvis will tell you himself that where he got his style is from colored blues singers." From this fusion and sharing of American cultures came spirituals, blues, gospel, folk, country, and bluegrass—the roots of all American popular music.
Roots and Reason: A Celebration of American Roots Music
This year's Africana Studies music programming celebrates the richness of America’s roots music traditions. The roots music artist is the chronicler of the ongoing story of America, told through song. Roots music is the intermingling of cross-cultural influences. Johnny Cash once said, "Every successful country singer I know has a humble background. . . and the colored blues has been a part of their musical heritage. Every one of them bar none. Elvis will tell you himself that where he got his style is from colored blues singers." From this fusion and sharing of American cultures came spirituals, blues, gospel, folk, country, and bluegrass—the roots of all American popular music.
Nicknamed the "King of Nouveau Swing," jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. travels to Berklee from his home in New Orleans for this performance.
This year's Africana Studies Music Programming celebrates the richness of America's roots music traditions. The roots music artist is the chronicler of the ongoing story of America, told through song. Roots music is the intermingling of cross-cultural influences. Johnny Cash once said, "Every successful country singer I know has a humble background. . . and the colored blues has been a part of their musical heritage. Every one of them bar none. Elvis will tell you himself that where he got his style is from colored blues singers." From this fusion and sharing of American cultures came spirituals, blues, gospel, folk, country, and bluegrass-the roots all American popular music.
Known for his vivid and powerful figurative paintings, Robert Freeman has been celebrated for his images of middle-class African-American society, focusing on human interaction with a skillful, brave use of color and gesture that makes his figures nearly abstract. Freeman's work has been included in the collections of the National Center for African American Artists, Boston Public Library, Brown University, and DeCordova Museum, among other institutions. He earned his BFA and MFA from Boston University.
Known for his vivid and powerful figurative paintings, Robert Freeman has been celebrated for his images of middle-class African-American society, focusing on human interaction with a skillful, brave use of color and gesture that makes his figures nearly abstract. Freeman's work has been included in the collections of the National Center for African American Artists, Boston Public Library, Brown University, and DeCordova Museum, among other institutions. He earned his BFA and MFA from Boston University.
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, poet, and philosopher known for his "cosmic" philosophy, musical compositions, and performances. Sun Ra in Song will feature the Berklee Faculty Inter-Galactic Sun Ra Astro-Infinity Myth Equation Commemorative Arkestra playing some of Sun Ra's most popular compositions. The concert is dedicated to former Berklee faculty member and percussion master, the late Sa Davis.
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, poet, and philosopher known for his "cosmic" philosophy, musical compositions, and performances. Sun Ra in Song will feature the Berklee Faculty Inter-Galactic Sun Ra Astro-Infinity Myth Equation Commemorative Arkestra playing some of Sun Ra's most popular compositions. The concert is dedicated to former Berklee faculty member and percussion master, the late Sa Davis.
John Blake Jr. has been one of the world's leading jazz violinists for over four decades. Blake is also an accomplished composer and arranger who will perform with students from Howard University.
Prior to the concert there will be a panel discussion with John Blake and faculty members Larry Watson, Donna McElroy, Gabrielle Goodman, and Bill Banfield about the historical, political, sociological, and musical aspects of these transcendently important songs.
John Blake Jr. has been one of the world's leading jazz violinists for over four decades. Blake is also an accomplished composer and arranger who will perform with students from Howard University.
Prior to the concert there will be a panel discussion with John Blake and faculty members Larry Watson, Donna McElroy, Gabrielle Goodman, and Bill Banfield about the historical, political, sociological, and musical aspects of these transcendently important songs.
One of the first improvisers and composers to adapt to the modern era the groundbreaking contributions that Stéphane Grappelli, Joe Venuti, Stuff Smith, and other pioneering jazz violinists made to the legacy of an instrument primarily associated with classical and folk music, John Blake Jr. has consistently created music that engages the heart, mind, body, and soul. With the release of Motherless Child, Blake also joins the distinguished list of jazz musicians and arrangers who have mined the rich repository of the African American spiritual songbook and created new versions of these timeless and inspirational works—some solely instrumental and others featuring vocals—that pay righteous and reverent respect to the music's illustrious heritage in a manner that is distinctively original and compelling.
John Blake Jr. has been one of the world's leading jazz violinists for over four decades. A four-time winner of the Down Beat Critics Poll in the Violinist Deserving Wider Recognition category, he was also one of the top two jazz violinists in the 49th, 50th, and 51st Down Beat Readers' Poll, Classically trained, Blake first gained recognition on early-'70s recordings he made with Archie Shepp and became established with a global audience during three years recording and touring as a member of Grover Washington Jr.'s popular "crossover" jazz band. He then spent five years working extensively as a member of various ensembles led by pianist McCoy Tyner. Among other artists with whom Blake has performed and/or recorded are the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Turtle Island String Quartet, Quartet Indigo, Steve Turre Sextet, Billy Taylor Trio, Avery Sharpe, Cecil McBee, Jay Hoggard, and James Newton.
Blake released his recording debut as a leader and composer, Maiden Dance, in 1984, the first of five well-received projects on Gramavision Records, including one that teamed him up with fellow jazz violinists Michal Urbaniak and Didier Lockwood. His sixth album,Quest, reunited him with Grover Washington and featured Joe Ford, Charles Fambrough, Ben Riley, Omar Hill, and Joey Calderazzo. Blake's first recording with his current quartet, The Traveler, was released in 2007.
Born in Philadelphia on July 3, 1947, Blake began studying violin in that city's public school system and at the Settlement Music School. After graduating from West Virginia University he did postgraduate work at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Montreux, Switzerland and received a grant to study studied East Indian music. In addition to his work as an instrumentalist performing with his quartet and as a featured guest soloist at concerts and on studio sessions, Blake is also an accomplished composer, arranger, and producer as well as an author, teacher, and lecturer who presents hundreds of workshops annually to musicians at all levels. He cowrote with Suzuki educator Jody Harmon J.I.M.E., the definitive beginning string jazz method book and CD in use around the world.
In addition to lecturing on campuses throughout the U.S., Blake is on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and at the Manhattan School of Music, and has been a guest lecturer at Berklee. In 2004 he was appointed to the Basler Chair of Excellence for the winter semester at East Tennessee State University and that year also was awarded a Chamber Music America Jazz Composer Grant.
The quartet Blake has been working with for close to a decade featuring pianist Sumi Tonooka, bassist Boris Kozlov, and the violinist's son Johnathan on drums is the core group featured onMotherless Child. They are augmented on some tracks by Howard University's jazz vocal group Afro Blue in a manner that recalls such jazz instrumental-vocal collaborations as arranger Duke Pearson's classic "Cristo Redentor." The performances of "Go Down Moses," I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," "Nobody Knows (the Trouble I've Seen), and other classics truly reflect the spirit and passion of these sacred songs. Pianist Mulgrew Miller guests on the album's title track and "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," while pianist and vocalist Evelyn Simpson-Curenton is featured on her arrangement of "A Balm in Gilead." Blake contributes a solo violin introduction to "A City Called Heaven" that is followed by a quartet version of this song that resonates with the power and passion one associates with another jazz master whose music was informed by spirituality, saxophonist John Coltrane.
"Most of the Spirituals I chose are ones I felt would be most familiar to listeners," Blake said, "and I myself remember crying as I listened to some of these songs as a child. 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen' was inspired by a deeply moving performance by Afro Blue of Gerri Allen's a cappella arrangement of 'O Freedom' that deeply moved me," he continued. "'Hold On' is a spiritual about perseverance that was also used as an 'escape song' to warn slaves to keep working or to 'keep their hand on de plow' until the time was right to flee. 'A Balm in Gilead' and 'A City Called Heaven' are both uplifting songs that speak of healing and a spiritual place where sorrows and pain cease to exist. Both their words and their melodies remind African Americans of their struggle for spiritual and physical freedom and it is my hope that the world will remember how important these songs were historically to the survival of the human race," Blake added. The violinist chose for the cover ofMotherless Child a photo taken in Nagongera, Uganda where he spent the summer of 2009 with a ministry called Covenant Mercies, whose mission supports orphans whose parents died of AIDs. "The spirituals created and song by my ancestors relate very much to the motherless children from this region," he explained.
John Blake Comments on the Musicians on Motherless Child
"I've been collaborating with pianist Sumi Tonooka for over two decades and over the years we've developed a deep friendship and a strong chemistry. In addition to being a virtuoso instrumentalist and a veteran performer, she's also an excellent composer and arranger who's released several CDs under her own name. Sumi has also worked with Philly Joe Jones, Red Rodney, David 'Fathead' Newman and Rufus Reid's ensemble, among others. We have travelled and performed all over the country and the world and released the duo recording Kindred Spirits in 2000.
"The presence of my son Johnathan Blake on drums adds more history and chemistry through our relationship as father and son and communication as two musicians. His contribution as a great team player in this ensemble has been a very powerful force in shaping the feel and excitement in the band's performances. He and bassist Boris Kozlov play with incredible empathy due in part to their having worked together in the Mingus Big Band. Boris is a remarkable bassist and a virtuoso instrumentalist and accompanist and who seems to always know the correct feel for the right moment in the music.
"Evelyn Simpson-Curenton's arrangement and vocal work on 'Balm in Gilead' still brings me to tears when I listen to her voice in the beginning of this song. Mulgrew Miller is one of the leading contemporary pianists of our time whose playing always demonstrates masterful technique while being extremely inventive and expressive.
"Finally, I can't say enough about the superb singing on this recording by Howard University's incomparable jazz vocal group Afro Blue. Its members have great intonation and are extremely talented improvisers who proved flexible and versatile enough to blend in with the other musicians on this project. Professor Connaitre Miller, the ensemble's founder and music director, never fails to inspire her students to create first rate, professional music and I'm so pleased and honored to have been able to work with them. My meetings and consultations with Professor Miller were invaluable during the process of writing these arrangements and her training of these talented students is unmatched by anything I've ever seen."
Ernest "Ernie" Isley is a drummer, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter with the long-running r&b band, the Isley Brothers. This talk will be part of a weeklong residency with Ernie Isley.
Ernest "Ernie" Isley is a drummer, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter with the long-running r&b band, the Isley Brothers. This talk will be part of a weeklong residency with Ernie Isley.
Six-time Grammy nominee Nneena Freelon is a popular jazz singer, arranger, and educator. She has shared the stage or recordings with Jessye Norman, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Take 6, the Count Basie Orchestra, and more.
Six-time Grammy nominee Nneena Freelon is a popular jazz singer, arranger, and educator. She has shared the stage or recordings with Jessye Norman, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Take 6, the Count Basie Orchestra, and more.
Miss Lena Horne was America's first international superstar of African descent, a trailblazer in film, music, and human and civil rights. Berklee faculty, students, and staff—along with special guest the incredible Jo Thompson from Detroit—will star in an elegant evening of dance, song, and spoken word as we pay homage to Miss Lena Horne.
Miss Lena Horne was America's first international superstar of African descent who was a trailblazer in film, music, and human and civil rights. Her dignity, courage, pride, and talent influenced many who came after her. Berklee faculty, students, and staff—along with a special guest, the incredible Jo Thompson from Detroit—will star in an elegant evening of dance, song, and spoken word as we pay homage to Miss Lena Horne.
Along with this all-star big band concert, the tribute will include a clinic with Thompson and a panel discussion featuring Berklee veteran faculty members who will recount their stories of working as musicians during this turbulent period in American history.
Bobby McFerrin performs an improvisational concert with students as part of Berklee's Africana Studies discipline. The 10-time Grammy Award–winner is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." His sound has been described as superhuman, demonstrating matchless improvisational skills. This concert is a culmination of a weeklong residency.
Bobby McFerrin performs an improvisational concert with students as part of Berklee's Africana Studies discipline. The 10-time Grammy Award–winner is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." His sound has been described as superhuman, demonstrating matchless improvisational skills. This concert is a culmination of a weeklong residency.
Robin Kelley will read from his book, Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original. He will also discuss the research that was done to develop the book, along with questions and dialogue from students. In addition, he will lecture and present on his forthcoming book, Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times.
Robin Kelley will read from his book, Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original. He will also discuss the research that was done to develop the book, along with questions and dialogue from students. In addition, he will lecture and present on his forthcoming book, Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times.
Porgy and Bess: A Concert Version and Panel Discussion
A concert performance of excerpts of the American opera Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin. Immediately following the performance there will be a panel discussion with the cast around some of the artistic and cultural debates that surround this great work. Sponsored by Africana Studies 2011-2012 Music Series: Virtuosity of Mind, Craft, and Spirit.
A concert performance of excerpts of the American opera Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin. Immediately following the performance there will be a panel discussion with the cast around some of the artistic and cultural debates that surround this great work. Sponsored by Africana Studies 2011-2012 Music Series: Virtuosity of Mind, Craft, and Spirit.
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