Last evening, we had the pleasure of attending a beautiful event of Jazz and Spoken Word sponsored by the James and Janie Washington Foundation & Cultural Center at the Hedreen Gallery at Seattle University. Ms. Pamela Phillips, its passionate Director, crafted a very elegant yet comfortable evening with music by the the Mount Zion Wind Ensemble, lead by Wadie Ervin. The ensemble also included Michael Yasutake, Lonnie Williams, Richard Perry and Paul Nichols.
The spoken word artist who themselves have performed around the world from South Africa to to the Caribbean to the Seattle Central Area. They included Paul Nichols, who performed an original and moving masterpiece called "Birdsong: A Tribute to Charlie Parker". Mr Nichols is not only an eloquent poet, but is himself a world class actor.
Ms Toyia Taylor, recently relocated back to Seattle from Brooklyn, NY performed a wide range of her work from an Ode to Hip Hop to a deeply felt and emotional love poem to a very critical and insightful commentary on "Seattle Blacks". Ms Taylor at one point in her life was a contestant in the Ms America Pageant.
The last spoken word artist was Delton Mosby. He is an admirer of Mr. Washington who is also being strongly influenced by many of the artist of the Harlem Renaissance. Delton is a very talented young man, who composes music and lyrics, so watch for Delton to make it big in the Seattle spoken word scene in the very near future.
A cool evening from an outstanding organization. DO NOT miss their Open House on September 8th. I will have more information very soon about the Open House, but in the mean time check out the photos below from last evening's event, "Outspoken: An Evening of Jazz & Spoken Word"
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| Lonnie Williams, Paul Nichols, Richard Perry and Wadie Ervin |
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| Paul Nichols |
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| Toyia Taylor |
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| Toyia Taylor |
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| LaVerne Hall |
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| Delton Mosby |
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| Delton Mosby |
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| Wadie Ervin and Michael Yasutake |
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| Pamela Phillips |
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| Pamela Phillips, Director |
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| Everette and Gretchen Adams |
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| Maisha Barnett |
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| Foundation Artist in Residence |
Thanks Paul. Indeed the evening was fabulous. Thanks very much to Executive Director Pamela Nichols. She and her team presented attendees with a "First-class" evening of entertainment and art.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to many more evenings such as this, showcasing local/national talent. This is exactly what the Washingtons through their last will and testament, directed the Foundation to do.
Again, my thanks to Mrs. Pamela Nichols, Karthia, Linda Kennedy, Carol Peoples-Proctor, Maisha Barnett, and each and every heart and hand responsible for the excitement and energy they presented us with last evening.