/rECOrDING PROJECT IDEAS
RECITAL No. 1: MASS
How do you deal with a problem? Recital No. 1: MASS uses the Catholic Mass as a template filled with the music of seemingly disparate identities and times in order to illustrate the breadth of my musical upbringing and demonstrate that many cultures and aesthetics have something universal and profound to say about personal resilience.
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Recital No. 2: CONFESSION
I haven’t yet shared my personal journey with love — Love in its many forms and valances: agape, eros, philia, and beyond. I don’t think I’ve shared it with an audience because I don’t think I’ve fully shared it with myself — yet. I hope to create within Recital No. 2 a space for intimacy to reflect, hold, and share facets of this thing we all yearn for, run from, attempt to give, and often fail to receive.
With the electronic sound artist Contourr (Khari Lucas), pianist John Bitoy, and eventually a small group of my closest theatrical collaborators, I’m seeking to create a prismatic journey that umbilically moves through and kaleidoscopically cracks open and reimagines musical spaces a Purcell tune, a Sam Cooke song, a gospel hymn, or a Nina Simone ballade. I’m seeking to begin to find answers to the question: What’s the motivation, experience, and effect of giving and receiving connection to the universe, humanity, my community, my family, my lovers, and myself?
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Workshop Improvisation: By and By /I’ll Fly Away (Gospel Hymn)
Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Nina Simone)
Concerto No. 1: SERMON
A devised work for Voice and Orchestra with music from John Adams, Davone Tines, Igee Dieudonne, Matt Aucoin, and Anthony Davis that asks the question: “Why do I still need to prove my humanity to you? Originally made for the philidelphia orchestra.
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Program and Texts
Archival Recording: Detroit Symphony, 2023 Classical Roots Gala
The Philadelphia Inquirer Concert Review
Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM
A devised work for Voice and Orchestra that questions American values by transforming The Star-Spangled Banner into the Black National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing over three concerto movements with music by Davóne Tines, Michael Schacter, Caroline Shaw, and Tyshawn Sorey. COMMISSIONED by the los angeles philharmonic
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Program and Artist Statement
Archival Recording: Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles Times Concert Preview