Event

2012 Ma, Mahalia, & The Man

"Ma, Mahalia, & The Man" is a production of Echoes of Our Ancestors, an arts-in-education program that speaks of African-American history through music. www.echoesofourancestors.com It is the story of three pioneers in American music: "mother of the blues" "Ma"Rainey, Mahalia Jackson, known as "The World's Greatest Gospel Singer" and Thomas A. Dorsey, "Father of Gospel Music." The tribute concert, scheduled for one performance Saturday October 27 at 2 pm, will include a jazz band, a choir, and dynamic soloists. The historical landscape of the program begins with the great migration period of the 1920's when blacks from the deep south traveled north via the Mississippi (river) into the midwestern cities. Highlighted here is Chicago, which became the destination for musicians who wanted to play the new music of blues and jazz. This is where Dorsey and Ma Rainey would meet and collaborate on music that would catapult both into iconic status.

Eventually a young girl from New Orleans would be sent to live with relatives in Chicago and be heard by Thomas A. Dorsey, making Mahalia Jackson the most famous gospel singer to ever live. Dorsey's musical prowess swung the pendulum from down and dirty to piety, and this "sinner/saint" complex plagued the man for a great deal of his life; precipitating two nervous breakdowns. His duality will be examined and in hindsight, appreciated: where else could you expect to pay one admission price and hear "Sleep Talkin' Blues" and "It's Tight Like That" in the same breath as "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (written immediately upon the sudden death of his pregnant wife and unborn child)?The concert's focal point becomes Mahalia as she and Dorsey develop the gospel music style and spread gospel choirs around the nation, making gospel music "golden" during the 1950's. Tami Tyree, principal soloist, founder, and executive director of Echoes of Our Ancestors will sing the Mahalia story. Lee Olive Tucker will capture the essence of Ma Rainey, as she is a well loved blues and jazz singer in the Harlem Community, known as "The Harlem Diva." Rudi Mwongozi is the musical director and acclaimed pianist who has been with the project and seen it grow since its debut in 2010.

Rounding out the afternoon will be a gospel chorus and male lead guests singing the music of Thomas Dorsey as vocalist aka "Georgia Tom." Ma, Mahalia, & The Man is made possible with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. The concert will take place at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center, 34 W. 134th St., Harlem.

Location

Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center (View)
34 W. 134th St.
New York , NY 10037
United States

Contact

Email:
support@brownpapertickets.com

Attendees

Annette C.

Brooklyn, NY United States

Oct 26, 2012 7:34 AM

Magaly C.

Brooklyn, NY United States

Oct 26, 2012 7:34 AM

Shirley N.

New York, NY United States

Oct 26, 2012 7:08 AM

Name Withheld

Elmsford, NY United States

Oct 24, 2012 8:12 AM