Black History Month Finale

I'm just recovering from the excitement of this past weekend. We performed the Black Composers and Black Poets concert to a full house that ranged from elementary aged kids to my former first grade teacher, Mrs. Carolyn Maxey! (She actually taught the class next door to mine, but sometimes the classes did things together.)

Our program included music by Black composers from the 1700s through today. The Music For Everyone Strings group presented four pieces and knocked it out of the park!

It was thrilling for me to play with three generations of pianists in the program:

My mom, Frances Veri and I performed William Grant Still in conjunction with poetry by Langston Hughes performed by Dr. Amanda Kemp.

Then I got to play the world premiere of Dr. Maria Thompson Corley's "Cerulean Blues" and her haunting arrangement of African American Spirituals.

Finally, we closed out the show with the youngest pianist Klaude Larieux, playing music by Stevie Wonder, Errol Garner and Bill Withers.

The audience loved the variety of music!

I felt like all the parts of my life were coming together: Where I was; Where I'm going and Where I am RIGHT NOW.

As Bill Withers says, It was a "Lovely Day!" 

All my best,

Michael

Love--by Black Composers

Last month while I was in Detroit with Matt Woodson and Christian Sands--making it rain dollar bills--we also started discussing music for our Black History Month concert: Celebrating Black Composers and Black Poets. (If you did not see the video of me playing at a bar with people throwing $1 bills, look it up! One of the highlights of my career!)

In addition to music by William Grant Still , who straddled the classical and Broadway music worlds, and the awesome Maria Thompson Corley who is working on an opera about John Lewis, we wanted to do something FUN paying tribute to Black jazz and pop composers.

So, now we are going to conclude the concert with The Love Set which includes music by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Eroll Garner. You will probably recognize them all!

Be inspired, entertained and informed!

Celebrating Black Composers and Black Poets

Feb. 25 at 2pm-3:15

Free

Family Friendly

Sponsored by Lancaster Catholic High School Fine & Performing Arts Dept. George R. Schreck ’47 & Barbara A. Schober ‘72 Memorial 2022-23 Concert & Lecture Series

All the best,

Michael

Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass!

Please check out this new music video celebrating the birthday of U.S. statesman, abolitionist, and VIOLINIST Frederick Douglass.

This short music video is a great educational and entertaining experience that shows our greatest leaders stand for human rights for all people.

It's part of a longer work called the Frederick Douglass Suite that I'm proud to co-create with Theatre for Transformation.

In 1867, only two years after the slavery ended in the U.S., Douglass spoke out against racism against Chinese and Japanese Americans. He argued that Chinese immigrants should be allowed to become citizens just like any other immigrants.

He envisioned a “Composite Nation,” a multi-racial, multicultural America that recognized human rights for all--including WOMEN.

He was way ahead of his time, but he is right on time for solidarity and compassion.

This music video sets the excerpts from Frederick Douglass’s “Composite Nation” speech to “Joseph Pierce” an original work by jazz giant Francis Wong.

Performed by:

Amanda Kemp, Vocals

Michael Jamanis,Violin

Francis Wong, Tenor Saxophone

Matt Woodson, Percussion

Text from 1867 “Composite Nation” Speech.

For more info about cool Black History Month events go to:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-month-2023-celebrating-black-composers-and-black-poets-tickets-529693235727

Happy Black History Month!

It’s cold today but it was colder in Detroit!

Just got back from the Sphinx Conference where Matt Woodson and I connected with cellist Christian Sands.

Besides conferencing and a short residency at the Detroit Waldorf School, we had fun eating and drinking adult beverages. Click on the video below to see what happened when I played at a bar on our last night. (Spoiler alert: $$$$ dollar bills are shown.)

Christian, Matt and I are also going to collaborate at the upcoming Black Composers and Black Poets Black History Month program.

Dr. Amanda Kemp of Theatre for Transformation and youth performers from Bright Side Opportunities Center's STEM will perform poetry by Langston Hughes.

This program is FREE and open to everyone.

We also plan to livestream. We recommend you reserve your seat and/or get your livestream link at EventBrite. Click on the link below or just search

Black Composers and Black Poets.

It’s going to be a family friendly event featuring students and professional musicians.

This program includes jazz improvisations and classical music, including a world premiere by Dr. Maria Thompson Corley.

Dr. Amanda Kemp of Theatre for Transformation and youth performers from Bright Side Opportunities Center's STEM will perform poetry by Langston Hughes.

This program is FREE and open to everyone.

We also plan to livestream. We recommend you reserve your seat and/or get your livestream link at EventBrite for Black Composers and Black Poets.

Saturday, Feb. 25

2pm-3:15

New Creation United Methodist Church

10 W. Farnum St. Lancaster, PA

Plenty of free parking in the church parking lot

Free & Open to the Public

MLK Day 2023

I’m just getting back from a trip to the Florida Everglades.

It was a spiritual journey.

In between hiking trips and hanging out with the alligators, Amanda and I were putting the final touches on a chapter for John Gerdy’s upcoming book on the arts and social change.

In our chapter we talk about the Chaconne Emancipated, a performance project where I put Bach’s Chaconne in conversation with African American spirituals and delved deeply into my own racial justice journey.

You can see a 2 min trailer of the Chaconne Emancipated here.

On January 15 Amanda and I are going to host the Chaconne Emancipated Listening Room.

During this listening room, Amanda and I will share the Chaconne Emancipated recording as well as talk about our process and our ongoing dance towards liberation and healing.

Sunday January 15th

5pm eastern/4pm central/2pm pacific

1 hour Via Zoom

Sliding Scale

Replay Available

Click on the link below to save your seat!

Chaconne Emancipated Listening Room.

P.S.--The Chaconne Emancipated Listening Room will give you a chance to reflect on your own journey towards healing and liberation. Hope to see you there!