Justice through Creativity...
Harlem Voices is a musical I have been composing that is set in the 1920s. Harlem Voices explores present-day issues of racism, LGBTQ issues, inept leadership, African-American military service in WWI, and racial profiling (among many other issues). It is about a brilliant young black vocalist who was traumatized by the Rosewood, FL massacre of her family members by the KKK. She is conflicted by falling in love with a white patron of the racially segregated club where she works in Harlem called the Black Jay Club.
Make A Contribution to This Project Now I am seeking funding to complete the musical, which is, at this point, approximately one quarter of the way done. I am writing the “book” (play), libretto, and music... the entire creative product... and would like to be financially supported during the approximately 12-month period of its creation. You can make tax-deductible contributions to through my Hatchfund.org site.
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Spencer Brewer snapped this wonderful picture of me, Joel Cohen, and Brian Hanson playing my "Eine Kleine Tango", which was composed as a light-hearted takeoff on the famous Mozart piece. You can learn more about this piece at www.jazzicalmusic.weebly.com/eine-kleine-tango.html
This video was taken at a rehearsal for the performance on Christmas eve, 2015. I originally wrote it in 2008 as a way of voicing my opposition to Proposition 8, which sought to ban same-sex marriages in California. The song has become something of a local favorite... played on the public radio station here during the Christmas season for the past few years. It is actually a song that opposes all silly prohibitions against marriage by people who love each other. These prohibitions can, of course, be against people of the same sex or different races, religions, creeds, castes, social classes, or nationalities. My chosen daughter, Leslie Collie, is singing. This marked the first time she and I have performed together! Go to jazzicalmusic.com to view and download the score and parts. Here are the lyrics:
My Mistletoe If I had one wish this Christmas it would be that everyone who Loved each other could marry when they grow up. There are many colors of the rainbow, and God made Each one perfect, like bulbs on a Christmas tree. When I see people holding hands and kissing each other I feel how the love of God flows through us. Who wants to stop this flow of love on Christmas Day, in any way? Why tell me who to kiss under my mistletoe? If I had one wish this Christmas it would be that everyone who Loved each other could marry when they grow up. If I had one wish this Christmas we'd marry when we love one another. I finished the second movement of my new Symphony on May 10, but am just getting around to posting it on Facebook. Like the first movement, this is a generally atonal piece. It is a bit short, but that's the way it presented itself. This movement is interesting because I wanted to paint with washes of sound. It is abstract, but if I were to describe it as a painting, I'd say it is impressionistic in pastel colors. Go to jazzicalmusic.weebly.com/symphony-1.html to see the score and listen to mp3 recordings of the two movements composed so far. While there, stay to view and listen to over 150 other pieces of original music I have composed. Enjoy! |
About this blog.This blog is a place where many of the confluences of my life can be shared. I am, at the core, a creative person. I approach everything from that basis... whether composing symphonies, playing the cello, being a serial entrepreneur, writing sermons and essays, flying airplanes, or creating software apps. I am deeply passionate about creativity, issues of social justice, and spiritual enrichment. These are fundamental to everything I do. Welcome to my journey! Categories
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