Theater Dance Music

at the Edlis Neeson Theater

Winter/Spring

Manual Cinema Ragamala Dance + Mementos Mori Rudresh Mahanthappa Jan 15–18, 2015 Song of the Jasmine Apr 10–12, 2015 Stan’s Cafe The Cardinals International Contemporary Ensem- Jan 22–24, 2015 ble (ICE): Anna Thorvaldsdottir In the Light of Air Sònia Sánchez Apr 25, 2015 Le Ça (The Id) Feb 13–15, 2015 Creative Music Summit: Nicole Mitchell Mariano Pensotti May 2, 2015 Cineastas (Filmmakers) Renée Baker Feb 26–Mar 1, 2015 May 3, 2015

Joffrey Academy of Dance Third Coast Percussion with Winning Works: Choreographers Glenn Kotche of Color Wild Sound Mar 7–8, 2015 May 21–22, 2015

The Seldoms Power Goes Mar 20–29, 2015 Creative Music Creative Music Summit Summit Nicole Mitchell: Renée Baker: Mandorla Sunyata: Awakening: Towards Emerging Worlds Absolute May 2, 2015 Emptiness (world premiere) May 3, 2015 (world premiere)

Nicole Mitchell, Photo: Brad Walseth Renée Baker, Photo: Michael S. Baker

Nicole Mitchell: Original music Nicole Mitchell: Mandorla Renée Baker: Original music Vocals: Dee Alexander, Running time is ninety minutes. Awakening: Emerging Worlds is Taalib-din Ziyad, Saalik Ulysses Jenkins: Video and a commission of the Museum of Chicago Modern Orchestra Ziyad, Ann E. Ward, Rae Renée Baker: Sunyata: Towards lighting Contemporary Art Chicago. Project Myra Hilliard, Yoseph Henry, Absolute Emptiness is a Renée C. Baker, Music Director Dwayne Lee commission of the Museum of Black Earth Ensemble The MCA presentation is in Contemporary Art Chicago. Nicole M. Mitchell, conjunction with the fiftieth Violin: Terrance Gray, Todd The Bridge—a transatlantic Music Director anniversary celebrations Matthews, Phyllis Sanders, network for creative music The MCA presentation is in of the Association for the Renaudo Christiansen- Trumpet, flugelhorn: Jean-Luc conjunction with the fiftieth Nicole M. Mitchell, flute and Advancement of Creative Robinson Cappozzo anniversary celebration of the electronics Musicians (AACM), and Viola: Kevin Lin, Robert Fisher Woodwinds: Douglas R. Ewart Association for the Advance- Kojiro Umezaki, shakuhachi contributes to the legacy and Cello: William Porter, Double bass: Joëlle Léandre, ment of Creative Musicians and electronics continuing bold and exciting Ruth Archer Bernard Santacruz (AACM), and in tribute to Tomeka Reid, cello and banjo directions that the AACM has Bass: Karl EH Seigfried creative musicians and compos- Renée Baker, violin charted for decades. Clarinet: Louis Gdalman The Pritzker College Prep ers everywhere. Tatsu Aoki, bass, shamisen Flute: Greg Blackburn, Concert Choir, directed by and taiko Elizabeth Diaz, Nicole M. Brian Pavloff. avery r young, vocals Mitchell Jovia Armstrong, percussion Saxophone: David Boykin Choreography and dance: Alex Wing, bass, electric guitar Support for Ulysses Jenkins as part Trumpet: Ben Lamar Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks, of Creative Music Summit is and oud generously provided by Black Cinema Vibes: Bruce Nelson Cristal Sabbagh House‎ and by Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture; Traps: Dushun Mosley Running time is seventy minutes Department of Cinema and Media Guitar: Bill MacKay Lighting design: Richard Edlis Neeson Studies; Film Studies Center; Arts + with no intermission. Public Life; and the Richard and Mary Keyboard: Steward Wilson Norwood Theater L. Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry at the University of Chicago. Additional support is provided by the School of the Art Institute.

Special thanks to Jacqueline Najuma Stewart and to Rashayla Marie Brown. Artists Up Close About the Work by Nicole M. Mitchell MCA Stage’s series of artist-centered talks, workshops, and open studios Mandorla Awakening: Emerging engages the public with the artists in Worlds intimate settings and provides a closer look at the creative process. Join us Synopsis today. In 2099, in the midst of the inevitable decay of World Union society, a vibrant, First Night diverse, and technologically adept May 2 & 3 culture emerges on an obscure island Audience members are invited to stay on the Atlantic. Mandorla is a richly at the end of the performance for fertile land of special earth power and conversations with Nicole Mitchell and crystal waters that has remained Ulysses Jenkins (May 2) and Renée hidden to the World Union government Baker, Douglas R. Ewart, Dee Alexan- due to the vibrational work of its Above: der, and Joëlle Léandre (May 3), both Renée Baker Jacqueline Stewart, and film producer inhabitants. Mandorla is an egalitarian moderated by Yolanda Cesta Cursach, Photo: Michael S. Don DiNicola for a conversation about society designed by people who have Baker Associate Director of Performance the intersections of music and media awakened their ability to communicate Below: Programs. Michael Zerang as social practices. Following the directly with “The Source.” Having Reduction2 Photo: Ken Carl panel discussion, Ulysses Jenkins survived the destructive forces of the MCA Talk and Screen introduced selections from his works, Egoes Wars and the global virus, the On April 26, in partnership with Black including Cake Walk, Two Zone Mandorlians have made a biological Cinema House, the MCA hosted Transfer, and Secrecy: Help Me to transformation after two generations of Nicole Mitchell, Renée Baker, media Understand. Concluding the day, Don a natural lifestyle, making them artist Ulysses Jenkins, film scholar DiNicola introduced his restored permanently immune to the virus. print of Oscar Micheaux’s Body and Soul (1925), which features a new The story unfolds when a couple score by Renée Baker. embarks on a journey outside the Nicole Mitchell boundaries of the World Union and From the artist Photo: Kristi Sutton On May 1, Stewart, Curator at Black discovers Mandorla. Seeking amnesty My latest project illustrates an alterna- Elias Cinema House, hosted Jenkins for a in this foreign culture, the couple is tive vision for our future. screening of his video “griot tril- astonished by the different life that ogy” Self-Divination, Mutual Native Mandorla offers. Their own transforma- Mandorla Awakening represents the Duplex, and The Nomadics. Earlier in tion beckons them as they resist letting unification of the duality that we the week, Jenkins participated in go of their old ways. Shocked and perceive: It portrays a transformation of Graduate Studies Critiques at The inspired by the ways of the Mandorli- human consciousness that can ulti- School of the Art Institute, and engaged ans, they are confronted with the reality mately heal the environment, promote students and faculty at The University that their home, the World Union, is peace, and awaken spirituality. I titled of Chicago in a series of talks and coming to an end. When confronted it after the mandorla, an almond shape studio visits, organized by Stewart, with images of their world shattering, created by two merging circles that is Professor in the Department of Cinema the couple must choose to adapt to an ancient symbol of wholeness. While and Media Studies, in coordination Mandorla or face death by struggling to the image is most often recognized with the Gray Center for Arts & Inquiry, help their old world survive. as the aura (halo) in early Christian art, Art & Public Life, and Department of the shape itself is much older as a Visual Arts. symbol of the feminine, described in Hindu art as the “yoni,” symbolizing the Riane Eisler and her book The Chalice About the Work Bardos, which I paraphrase here, and fertility of the “Great Mother.” and the Blade, Mandorla Awakening: by Renée C. Baker allow yourselves to be transformed. Emerging Worlds further investigates As satisfying as the multifaceted the issue. Eisler’s research into ancient Sunyata: Towards Absolute Emptiness Six Bardos from Padma expression of sound has been for Europe and the globe re-examines Sambhava’s Book of the Dead sharing my ideas, narrative and visual history through the duality of two types I wrote this music while in residence Paraphrased by Renée C. Baker concepts have always been integral of societies that have competed in Vietnam. Created for chamber to my composition process as well. thousands of years for existence: one ensemble, voice, and dance, it is Now when the bardo of birth is dawning symbolized by the chalice (cooperative inspired by the earliest Buddhist upon me Upon meeting the work of Ulysses societies that have been nurturing, writings to reach Tibet, Padma Samb- I will abandon laziness for which life Jenkins, I was stunned by our parallels prolifically creative, and non-violent) hava’s Book of the Dead (The Bardo). has no time in aesthetics and purpose. Our artistic and one symbolized by the blade or To the modern reader, Sambhava is Enter the undistracted path of study, collaboration has been a doorway sword (hierarchal societies that have towering and opaque, but in his time he reflection and meditation to a new adventure in art-making, one been aggressive, prosperous, and was known for his playfulness. He Making projections and mind the in which the inner symbology, texture, expansive through dominance and would hide his writings in unusual and path….. and narrative that previously stayed fear). remote locations in the belief that There is no time on the path for the Renée Baker Photo: Michael S. within my mind could actually be people recovering them would do so at mind to wander. Baker manifested in visual forms for audi- Emerging Worlds is the third install- a time when his spiritual messages ences to experience along with sound. ment in Mandorla Awakening, which I would have the most beneficial impact. Our first collaboration, Mandorla conceived of as a science-fiction Awakening: Dorla Awakens, was first narrative that unfolds through a series My artistic quest engages his writings performed as a work-in-progress at of performances that all respond to in the same belief. A lush and full- University of California, Irvine. It the prompt: what would a technologi- bodied score for twenty-nine musicians, included original music and video as cally advanced world that is in collabo- seven vocalists, and two dancers well as the choreography of Lisa ration with nature look like? Using staged on a minimalist set, Sunyata: Naugle. The MCA iteration is our varying instrumentation and electronics, Towards Absolute Emptiness only second collaboration and we welcome the piece encompasses a work for begins to skim the surface of one of the new members Tatsu Aoki, Kojiro orchestra, workshops for community most potent events in our lives: the Umezaki, and avery r young to Man- groups of all ages, and multi-arts transition from living to dying. At the dorla’s Black Earth Ensemble. collaborations that include live music, same time, I was interested in testing video, choreography, and text, Man- the limits of today’s creative music, to Mandorla Awakening continues to dorla Awakening offers a developing reconstruct the materials typically probe a question that I first began to storyline about the future. used, and to build something fantastic, explore in two projects inspired by unexpected, and unknown. the work of Afrofuturist author Octavia Butler, Intergalactic Beings (2010), I have fragments, origins, stories, and which I performed at the MCA; and implications that lend themselves to Xenogenesis Suite (2008): how can we my story logic, but ultimately the music as humans be so capable of beauty is organically composed and magically and enormous possibility and yet be so executed, with delicious differences committed to our own demise and the every time a creation gets to live. destruction of the planet? This paradox Whether it belongs to this world or both fascinates and horrifies me. another, I don’t know.

Conceptually informed by the socio- I invite you to access Sunyata by archaeological work of feminist author meditating on six verses from The Now when the bardo of dreams is dawning upon me Third Coast Percussion with Glenn Kotche I will abandon the corpse-like sleep of careless ignorance Wild Sound And let my thoughts enter their natural May 21–22 state without distraction Controlling and transforming dreams in luminosity..

Now when the bardo of Samadhi- meditation dawns upon me I will abandon the crowd of distractions and confusions.. Resting in the boundless state without grasping or disturbance.. Visualization and complete, at this time of meditation I will not fall into the power of confused Now when the bardo of becoming Douglas R. Ewart Photo: Lauren emotions dawns upon me Deutsch I will concentrate my mind one- Now when the bardo of the moment pointedly before death dawns on me Striving to prolong the results of I will abandon all grasping, yearning good karma and attachment Closing the womb-entrance and Enter distracted into clear awareness of thinking of resistance. the teaching This is the time of perseverance and And eject my consciousness into the pure thought. space of the unborn mind Abandon jealousy.. As I leave the compound body of flesh and blood With mind far off…not thinking of I will know it to be a transitory illusion. death’s coming Performing meaningless activities…. Now when the bardo of dharmata Returning empty handed would now dawns upon me be complete confusion.. I will abandon all thoughts of fear and Your need is now and has always been.. terror recognition…. I will recognize whatever appears as While touring with Wilco, drummer and my projection and know it.. composer Glenn Kotche made field recordings Theater Now that I have reached this crucial of cities around the world. Now Kotche has Dance point composed a new piece for the groundbreaking Music I will not fear my own projections, the ensemble Third Coast Percussion, integrating Buy online at peaceful or wrathful ones those recordings into a new work that explodes mcachicago.org at the the distinction between music and noise. Edlis Neeson Photo: Saverio Truglia Theater About the Artists Mitchell was among the first class of a preview of his Black Gold Fever at Bequest (2002). This video work was Doris Duke Artists (2012) and a re- LACE gallery for Los Angeles Goes screened at the exhibitions RE - Birth ~ (In order of appearance) cipient of the Alpert Award in the Arts Live: Exploring a Social History of Tono at Tropico De Nopal, Los Ange- (2011). She has been commissioned Performance Art in Southern Califor- les (2002); 911 - A Memorial for All at May 2 by the Museum of Contemporary Art nia, 1970-1983 (2010). His multimedia Boswell-Crowe Fine Arts Gallery, Los Nicole M. Mitchell Chicago, for Mandorla Awakening installation, Notions of Freedom, which Angeles (2002), and Fade: African- is a flutist, composer, bandleader, and and the 2010 premiere of Intergalactic employs motion-capture technology American Artists in Los Angeles, A educator. As the founder of Black Earth Beings (part two of Xenogenesis Suite) and video, as well as a soundtrack Survey Exhibition (1990-2003). Bequest Ensemble, Black Earth Strings, Ice as well as by the Ravinia Festival, the for Chief Concern by Kei Akagi, were was also screened by the City of Los Crystal, and Sonic Projections, Mitchell Chicago Jazz Festival, International shown in the exhibit Sound Migrationz Angeles Cultural Affairs Department at has been named “Top Flutist of the Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), the in the New Belgrade at the Block Gal- California State University, Los An- Year” for the last five years (2010-2014) Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra, and lery, Serbia (2009). geles (2004). Jenkins completed the in DownBeat’s Critics Poll and by the Maggio Fiorentino Chamber Orchestra video Planet X (2006) for the alumni Jazz Journalists Association. Mitchell’s (Florence, Italy). In 2009, she created Jenkins’s Mass of Images (c.1978) was exhibition Otis-LA: 9 Decades of Los music celebrates African American cul- Honoring Grace: Michelle Obama included in the Long Beach Museum’s Angeles Art at the Los Angeles Munici- ture while reaching across genres and for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Her Video Collection program as part of the pal Art Gallery. The video was subse- integrating new ideas with moments composition, Flight for Freedom for California Video exhibition presented quently shown in the Cross Sections in the legacy of jazz, gospel, experi- Creative Flute and Orchestra, a Tribute by the Getty Research Institute (2008). exhibition at the 18th Street Arts Center mentalism, pop, and African percus- to Harriet Tubman, premiered in 2011 in He participated in the Committee on (2007). sion through albums such as Black a performance by the Chicago Com- Los Angeles Culture’s panel on the Unstoppable (Delmark, 2007), Awaken- posers’ Orchestra, and was performed history of the African American avant- Jenkins is Professor of Art at the Claire ing (Delmark, 2011), Arc of O (Rogue again by the CCO in 2014. She was garde art movement in Los Angeles, Trevor School of Art at the University of Art, 2012), and Xenogenesis Suite: A commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta which took place at the Getty Research California, Irvine. Previously, he taught Tribute to Octavia Butler (Firehouse 12, for Harambee: Road to Victory, for Solo Institute in 2009. He also screened his video production at the University of 2008), which received commissioning Flute, Choir and Orchestra in January Dream City (1980) at Getty Research California, San Diego and Otis College support from Chamber Music Ameri- 2012. Institute. He was a presenter on the of Art as well as performance art at ca’s New Jazz Works. panel “Transformations: New Direc- California State University, Dominguez Mitchell is Professor of Music, teach- tions in Black Art at the Third Annual Hills. Mitchell formerly served as the first ing in Integrated Composition, Impro- Conference on African American Art” woman president of the Association for visation and Technology, a new and at the Maryland Institute College of Tatsu Aoki the Advancement of Creative Musi- expansively-minded PhD program of Art’s Center for Race and Culture, is a native of Tokyo and a prolific cians (AACM), and has been a member the Claire Trevor School of Arts at Uni- in Baltimore, Maryland, where he composer and performer of traditional since 1995. In recognition of her impact versity of California, Irvine. She has screened Visoes Culturalis da Bahia Japanese and experimental music within the Chicago music and arts edu- previously been a faculty member at (2009, work-in-progress). forms. He is also a composer, film- cation communities, she was named the Vancouver Creative Music Institute, maker, and educator. He is a graduate “Chicagoan of the Year” in 2006 by the the Sherwood Flute Institute, Banff In 2006, he contributed to SIDE by of the School of the Art Institute of Chi- Chicago Tribune. With her ensembles, International Jazz Workshop, Chicago SIDE Part II, a collaboration with Maren cago, where he is Adjunct Full Profes- as a featured flutist, and as a composer, State University, and the University of Hassinger, Senga Nengudi, David sor in the Film, Video, and New Media Mitchell has appeared at festivals and Illinois, Chicago. She is endorsed by Hammons, and Franklin Parker, for the Department. He has produced more art venues throughout Europe, the US, Powell Flutes. exhibition Les Soriee Nomades, cycle than thirty experimental films and is and Canada. Her work has been fea- Nuits Noires, at Foundation Cartier one of the most in-demand performers tured on National Public Radio, and in Ulysses Jenkins pour l’art contemporain in Paris. In of bass, shamisen, and taiko, contribut- publications Ebony, Downbeat, JazzIz, is a widely recognized video and the aftermath of 9/11, Jenkins initiated ing more than ninety recording projects Jazz Times, Jazz Wise, and American performance artist. As part of the Getty a project in reaction to the treatment and touring internationally during the Legacy. Research Institute’s Pacific Standard of the women of Afghanistan, which last twenty-five years. Aoki is Founder Time exhibitions (2011) he performed resulted in the video DVD project and Artistic Director of Chicago Asian Tatsu Aoki American Jazz Festival, and President Tsukasa Taiko and have been performed at festivals such Irvine and a core member of the Inte- Reduction2 of San Francisco–based Asian Improv Photo: Ken Carl as Umbria Jazz, An Insolent Noise, and grated Composition Improvisation and Records (AIR). Vignola Jazz. She was a nominee and Technology (ICIT) faculty. He performs recipient of composition residencies by regularly with the Grammy-nominated He was named one of 2001’s “Chicago- the Ragdale Foundation, the Make Jazz Silk Road Ensemble with whom he ap- ans of the Year” by Chicago Tribune for Fellowship of the 18th Street Arts Organi- pears on multiple recordings including Off his music and has performed with mu- zation, and in 2012 the Jazz Composers the Map and A Playlist Without Borders. sic masters such as Roscoe Mitchell, Orchestra Institute at the University of Other recordings with his work have been Don Moye, pipa virtuoso Wu Man, and California, Los Angeles. released on Brooklyn Rider’s Dominant the late Chicago legend Fred Ander- Curve; Yo-Yo Ma’s Appassionato; Beat in son. Aoki’s ROOTED: Origins of Now, a Reid is a prolific musician in recordings Fractions’ Beat Infraction; The Silk Road: four-movement suite for big band, pre- and collaborations in live experimental A Musical Caravan (Smithsonian Folk- miered in 2001 at Ping Tom Memorial and improvisatory settings. She is an ways); and Huun Huur Tu’s Ancestors Call. Park, and was performed at the Chica- integral part of Dee Alexander’s Evolu- His new album (Cycles) features mostly go Jazz Festival and at MCA Stage as tion Ensemble, Nicole Mitchell’s Black original works and was released in April part of Chicago Asian American Jazz Earth Ensemble/Strings, Mike Reed’s 2014. Festival. Additional notable releases Loose Assembly, and the AACM Great include Basser Live (1999) and Basser Black Music Ensemble. As co-leader of Alex Wing Live II (2005), recorded live at the MCA; the string trio, Hear in Now, she toured is a guitar, bass, and oud player, and The MIYUMI Project (2000); Symphony nationally and to Poznan (Poland), Paris, educator. He performs with numerous of Two Cities (2002); and Posture of Rome, Venice, Milan, and Soazza (Swit- composers/musicians including Nicole Reality with Wu Man (2003). The Asian World Musician. She released her debut zerland). Other highlights include per- Mitchell, David Boykin, Renee Baker’s American Institute awarded Aoki the album Fuzzy Blue Robe Chronicles in forming with Anthony Braxton, George Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, the Milestone Award in 2007 for his contri- 2009. Armstrong is a 3Arts Siragusa Lewis, Roscoe Mitchell, Jeb Bishop, Hanah Jon Taylor Artet, Wanees Zarour, bution to Chicago-area arts. In 2010, he Foundation Artist Award grantee (2011), Myra Melford, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Mary Bad Mashadi, Saalik Ziyad, Mwata received the Japan America Society of and in 2014 was named Best Black Fe- Halvorson, Denis Fournier, Edward Bowden, the Mingus Awareness Project, Chicago’s Cultural Achievement Award male Percussionist by the Black Women Wilkerson Jr., and Harrison Bankhead. and many more. as well as a 3Arts Siragusa Foundation in Jazz Awards. She recorded percus- She teaches string improvisation work- Artist Award. He received the “Living sion and was an engineer in JC Brooks & shops, and has directed Vancouver Jazz avery r young in Our Culture” award by the Japanese the Uptown Sound album Howl, which re- Festival’s Summer High School Jazz is a writer, performer, and visual artist. American Service Committee in 2014. ceived seven Grammy nominations. She Intensive since 2012. She co-directed He is alum of Cave Canem, the national is currently writing new compositions for the string program at The University of residency for important voices of African JoVia Armstrong Musique Noire’s third album. Chicago’s Laboratory School for stu- American poetry, and a 3Arts Siragusa is a Detroit native who is based in dents grade five through twelve, and is Foundation Artist Award grantee. His Chicago. She has performed with El Tomeka Reid a doctoral candidate at the University of work has been published in American DeBarge, Rahsaan Patterson, Eric is a cellist, composer, and educator who Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Studies Journal AIMPrint, Coon Bidness, Roberson, Frank McComb, Res, Omar, is equally adept in classical and jazz con- and other anthologies. His work with Nicole Mitchell and Michael Franti texts. Her compositional range includes Kojiro Umezaki language, visual text, and sound design & Spearhead. She tours widely in big band and chamber ensemble, and for was born to a Japanese father and has been exhibited in galleries and online. the US and Europe with JC Brooks her own trio with guitarist Matt Schnei- Danish mother and reared in Tokyo. He For his recent artist-in-residence at The & the Uptown Sound. She writes for der and bassist Josh Abrams. She has is a prolific performer of the shakuhachi, University of Chicago, young completed the world jazz group Musique Noire, received compositional commissions a composer of electro-acoustic works, a collection of sound designs which are which debuted in 2008 with the CD from the Association for the Advance- and a technologist with interests in being featured in his forthcoming full- Good Hair and have since received ment of Creative Musicians (AACM), integrating global musical practices with length debut album booker t. soltreyne:a three Detroit Music Awards and a Chicago Jazz Festival, and Chicago electronics. He is Associate Professor race rekkid and companion collection of nomination for Armstrong for Best Jazz Ensemble and her original works of Music at the University of California, “cullud sign(s).” May 3 dred works for ensembles ranging from April 2015. She is embarking on a three- Renée C. Baker solo instruments, ballet, and opera year project to produce original music is a composer, conductor, ensemble to large orchestral works that bridge scores for twenty forgotten film mas- leader, violinist, and violist. She is classical, jazz and creative music. Her terpieces of Oscar Micheaux, Spencer founding music director and conduc- range has led to multiple commissions Williams, and DW Griffith. tor of the Chicago Modern Orchestra by the Berlin International Brass, PEK’ Project (CMOP), a polystylistic Contemporary Project, and Dance- Dee Alexander organization that brings together clas- Wright Project, among others. The is a vocalist acclaimed for her versatil- sical music, jazz, and other genres. Chicago Sinfonietta premiered her first ity and experimental approach to CMOP has been chosen to work two symphonic works, Sundown’s music. A frequent collaborator of Renée with NewMusicUSA and the EarShot Promise, which featured taiko drum- Baker and a member of the Association program of the American Composers ming; and her work for orchestra and for the Advancement of Creative Orchestra. A member of the Associa- six jazz soloists. In 2010, her piece Musicians (AACM), Alexander has tion for the Advancement of Creative Brass Epiphany premiered at MCA worked with Ramsey Lewis, Orbert Musicians (AACM), Baker is an ac- Stage as part of AACM’s forty-fifth an- Davis, Nicole Mitchell, and many Dee Alexander complished developer of ensembles, niversary. others, including Ahmad Jamal, Joshua ly meeting the composer and ensemble Image courtesy of founding or leading several large Redman, and David Sanborn. She leader at a local Caribou Coffee, he ABC Jazz contemporary music projects, including Baker’s innovation in compositional leads two bands, the Dee Alexander has become a regular featured artist Mantra Blue Free Orchestra (Chicago); language has led to her creation of a Quartet and the Evolution Ensemble, in the projects of Renée Baker and the PEK’ Contemporary Project (Berlin), gestured conducting language called which emphasize her original Chicago Modern Orchestra Project. which was the progenitor of Bleueblue CCL/FLOW (Cipher Conduit Linguis- compositions. Her 2007 Sirens of Song Walkers/Bass Kollektief; and Twilight tics), which she is employing in active tribute to Nina Simone and Dinah Rae Myra Hilliard Struggles (Berlin). She has also started collaborations with avant-garde music Washington was commissioned by the is from Buffalo and began her studies more than twenty cutting edge new groups in Cologne, Berlin, Netherlands, Jazz Institute of Chicago, premiering on piano and violin at the age of four music ensembles, among them: London, Chicago, Portland (Oregon), at the Pritzker Pavilion and touring later and seven, respectively. She received a TUNTUI, Wrinkled Linen, Chocolate and other locales. She has developed years to France, Finland, Italy, Switzer- BA in Physical Education from Oberlin Chitlin’ Caucus, Red Chai Watch, a signature notation using painting land, Germany, and Poland. Alexander College, and while working full time FAQtet, Project 6, Renee’ Baker’s which she calls “exploratorium pieces.” was named “Chicagoan of the Year” in mortgage banking for eight years AWAKENING, Baker ArTet, Strings These are for ensembles of variable (Chicago Tribune, 2008) and “Jazz sang professionally with the Greater Attached, and the Butoh ensemble sizes. She is also a popular lecturer in Entertainer of the Year” (Chicago Music Buffalo Opera Company, Buffalo Opera BODY STRATA. nontraditional composition techniques, Awards). Her 2009 album Wild Is Unlimited, the Buffalo Philharmonic as well as in what she calls large The Wind received five stars (highest Chorus, and in solo recitals around the As a musician, Baker’s engagements ensemble “comprovisation,” a combina- honor) from Downbeat Magazine, Buffalo area. She earned her second have included major halls such as tion of composition and improvisational which named it among the Top Ten BA in 1993 in Performing Arts from the Bimhuis (Amsterdam) and Symphony development. Her latest experiment recordings of the new millennium. State University College of New York at Center (Chicago), and she is a found- with art, tactile-score sculpture works, Her newest project, Songs My Mother Buffalo, and an MA in Vocal Perfor- ing member and has been Principal is being presented as part of the MCA Loves, was released in 2014. mance in 1996 from the University of Violist of Chicago Sinfonietta for premiere of her new commission Sun- Northern Iowa. Her Chicago debut was twenty-six years. She is a prolific col- yata: Towards Absolute Emptiness. Yoseph B. Henry with the Civic Chamber Orchestra laborator with other projects such as is an upcoming vocalist in contem- under the direction of Maestro Duain Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Strings Baker’s composing range has recently porary gospel music known for his Wolf in 2001 as a soloist in Ralph and Black Earth Ensemble, the Chi- expanded to film soundtracks. Her distinctive balladry and range. Exposed Vaughn Williams’ Serenade to Music, cago Jazz Orchestra, the David Boykin new score for the restored print by Don for the first time to music and receiving which was performed at the South Expanse, and Orbert Davis's group. DiNicola of Oscar Micheaux’s Body and his earliest voice training in church, his Shore Cultural Center. In 2002, Hilliard Soul (1925) premiered at MCA Stage varied musical influences include soul, sang for the late Maestro Mstislav She is composer of more than two-hun- as part of the Creative Music Summit in pop, and big band jazz. After fortuitous- Rostropovich as the soprano cover for Dwayne Lee Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with Courtesy of the blessed by God to use my gift to Regina Harris Baiocchi, Janis Misurell- artist the Chicago Symphony Chorus. minister in song…throughout the US Mitchell, and Cook, Dixon and Young and abroad, I have combined musical (the Three Mo’Tenors). In addition to Operatic credits include the roles of the talents with acting in an attempt to AACM, she contributes compositions Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di reach as many people as possible with as one of the Six Degrees, an all-fe- Figaro, Serena in Gershwin’s Porgy the good news of Jesus Christ.” male composer collective that presents and Bess, and the world premiere in new music in concert bi-annually. Her 2001 at MCA Stage of Wendell Logan Ann E. Ward devotion to teaching music extends to and Paul Carter Harrison’s Doxology is a composer, vocalist, pianist, and coordinating the Arts and Humanities with the New Black Music Repertory African percussionist who developed Program for the Betty Shabazz Inter- Ensemble under the direction of the her skills in genres such as church national Charter Schools where she late Maestro Coleridge Taylor-Perkin- music, musical theater, classical, and currently runs performing arts classes, son. Hilliard was founder of the annual jazz vocal piano. Music education has and she continues to volunteer as Di- Black History recital (2000-2010), also been crucial to her. She started rector of the AACM School of Music on sponsored by the Austin Corinthian as concert pianist and organist while the campus of Chicago State University. Baptist Church. The recital introduced studying under George Williams at the Every Sunday, Ward can be heard at classical music and black classical Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt the St. George St. Matthias Episcopal singers to the inner-city community, and University, and earned a degree in Church where she sings in, conducts, also featured others programs of music composition from Kentucky State and, on piano and pipe organ, accom- spoken word, poetry, and musical appeared on the Emmy nominated Fox University. She debuted in Chicago with panies the choir. theater. As a professional chorister, she television program Christmas Glory the Ken Chaney Experience, as part has performed with the Chicago (from Lee’s home church, the Apostolic of that group’s vocal ensemble, which Saalik Ziyad Symphony Chorus for ten years, and Church of God ) and at the Umbria included her family members Barbara is a native Chicagoan who began as part of the Chicago Symphony Jazz Festival of Italy; the Chicago and Ben Farnandis. She has appeared singing at the age of seven. Accepted Orchestra’s Musician Residency Gospel Fest; and Six Flag’s Great in productions with Kuumba, eta, Choc- as a member of the Chicago Children’s Program at the South Shore Cultural America Gospel Fest. olate Chip, Steppenwolf, North Light, Choir, he performed from a young age Center until 2003. She has held the and the Chicago Theater Company. with Charlie Haden, Amina Claudine positions of soprano section leader, His work for the stage production She has worked with Charles Michael Myers, Willie Pickens, and renowned group and private voice instructor, includes the role of Uncle Eli in the Moore, Nora Brooks, Blakeley Val, institutions such as the Chicago assistant conductor and guest conduc- play War of the Spirits, produced by Gray Ward, and Oscar Brown Jr. as Symphony Orchestra. He studied at the tor. She is the music director and Walter King of Spellbinder, Inc. He has composer, pianist, and musical director. AACM School and has a BA in Vocal pianist/organist for Zion Lutheran also been featured live on the local A member of the Association for the Ad- Performance from Northern Illinois Church in Deerfield, Illinois. CBS news station (Channel 2), and vancement of Creative Musicians, she University (NIU). He is a founder of The on WTTW (Channel 11)’s Artbeat performs regularly with several of the 5 after 7 Project, a collaborative of Dwayne Lee Chicago in the story A Night with groups including the AACM Great Black diverse musicians based in the Chica- is a native Chicagoan. He has per- Dwayne Lee for on as well as on the Music Ensemble, the Experimental goland area, and a member of the formed alongside numerous gospel station’s Chicago Tonight. He has Ensemble, Samana, the AACM Vocal Association for the Advancement of music legends, notably with The toured London in support of his release Ensemble, and Spiritual Connections. Creative Musicians (AACM). He was Reverend Jackie McCullough on Victorious Praise, and appeared with Encouraged by Rita Warford, Steve lead jazz vocalist with the Northern This Is For You Lord (singing lead on various gospel and jazz talents such as Berry, and Mwata Bowden, she has Illinois University Jazz Ensemble, and “I’m Not Finished”); the Brooklyn Babbie Mason, Fred Hammond, Donnie taught piano, theory, and voice to chil- toured with Hammiet Blueitt, Steve Tabernacle on its Grammy-nominated McClurkin, Kirk Whalum, and the 3 dren and adults at the AACM School. Turre, and Rufus Reid. Highlight Light of the World (singing lead on More Tenors. His 2000 debut release engagements include Porgy and Bess, “Light of the World” and “His Plan”); God’s Gift / My Praise features the Ward has collaborated with countless directed by Bobby McFerrin for the and music director, composer, and well-known track “Deliverer.” Describ- artists including George Lewis, Douglas Ravinia Music Festival, with The arranger Tim Janis. He has also ing his Psalmist work, Lee cites “being R. Ewart, Renée Baker, Dee Alexander, Chicago Sinfonietta under the direction of Maestro Paul Freeman; the Sons and the AACM Experimental Ensemble. Thank you Friends of the MCA Stage $500–999 D’hiver Jazz festival in Paris, France; Recently he completed a CD with band Leslie Bodenstein and and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy. leader Art Turk Burton; the CD features Lead support for the 2014–15 $10,000–24,999 Jason Pickleman He performed as part of the Made in Ari Brown, Harrison Bankhead, Kirk season of MCA Stage is prov­ided Shawn M. Donnelley and Julie and Shane Campbell Chicago Jazz Festival in Poznan, Brown, Avreeayl Ra, Sammi “Cha Cha” by Elizabeth A. Liebman. Christopher M. Kelly Terri and Stephen Geifman Poland. He has appeared in theatrical Torres, and Luis Rosario. He has Ginger Farley and Bob Shapiro Mark Light productions such as Dido & Aeneas, performed in Paris, Poznan (Poland), Additional generous support Andreas Walburg-Wolfegg Anonymous Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah, and the Perugia (Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy), at is provided by David Herro and dinner theater work The All Night Strut. the Chicago Jazz Festival, and at many Jay Franke, Caryn and King $5,000–9,999 $499 and under As a member of the doo-wop group The other venues. As a member of the Harris, and Lois and Steve Eisen Sara Albrecht Jane & Issi El Dorados, he tours the US widely, AACM Vocal Ensemble, he is touring and the Eisen Family Foundation. Ellen Stone Belic David Brown including to the Viva Rock Vegas Show this October to Frankfort, Germany to Patricia Cox Coleen Kealey in Las Vegas. Ziyad is a dedicated perform at the Frankfort Jazz Festival. The MCA is a proud member of Pamela Crutchfield MCA North Shore Affiliates educator for Chicago Public Schools, Museums in the Park and Karen and Jim Frank Jane Mordini an artist in residence for the Jazz receives major support from the The Irving Harris Foundation Matthew F. O’Connor Institute of Chicago, and has conducted Chicago Park District. Susie Karkomi and Jacquelyn Paine and multiple clinics with the Polyrhythms Marvin Leavitt Robert Barr Organization. The Martha Struthers Farley Richard Poston and Donald C. Farley Jr. Kazu Yamamoto Taalib-Din Ziyad Family Foundation Anonymous is a vocalist, flutist, composer, arranger, Maya Polsky and instructor. He began his musical Carol Prins and John Hart career at an early age by singing in a choir. As a teenager, he received vocal $1,000–4,999 training with the renowned Lena McLin, Amphion Foundation, Inc. and classical training with voice Leigh and Henry Bienen instructor Thelma Wade Brown at the Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Chicago Music School/Roosevelt Cynthia Hunt and Philip Rudolph College. While singing in various Maecenas recitals throughout the Chicagoland Susan Manning and area and Indiana in his early teens, he Doug Doetsch began to develop his interest in the Herbert R. and Paula Molner music of John Coltrane, Johnnie Sharon Oberlander

Hartman, and other innovative musi- Taalib-Din Ziyad Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies cians of that time. In 1991, he became a Photo: Saalik Ziyad Cheryl and John Seder member of the Association for the Ms. Patricia F. Sternberg Advancement of Creative Musicians As of May 2015 (AACM), and leader of the trio, 7th Sphere. Later he became a vocalist and flutist with Vandy Harris’s groups Obade and Vandy’s Front Burners. He has performed with many notable musicians, including Ari Brown, Phil Kelan Cohran, Adegoke Steve Colson, Jodie Christian, Renee Baker, the The MCA is a proud partner of the AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble, Foundation Season Sponsor Preferred Hotel Partner National Performance Network. Courtesy guidelines and information

As an internationally renowned institution devoted to Parking contemporary culture, the Museum of Contemporary Art Validate your ticket at the coat check Chicago presents the most thought-provoking visual art and for $12 parking in the MCA garage performing arts of our time. MCA Stage is a vibrant series (220 East Chicago Avenue) or the presenting theater, dance, and music by leading artists from Bernardin garage (747 North Wabash). the US and around the world in MCA’s three-hundred-seat Discounted parking is limited to six Edlis Neeson Theater. hours on the date of performance.

MCA Stage’s groundbreaking performances are an integral Lost and Found part of MCA Chicago’s artist-activated, audience-engaged To inquire about a lost item, call the programming. Along with the museum’s exhibitions and museum at 312.280.2660. Unclaimed educational initiatives, they encourage a broad and diverse articles are held for thirty days. community to experience and discuss the work and ideas of living artists. Seating Please switch off all noise-making King Harris, Chair of Performance Programs the Board of Trustees Peter Taub, Director devices while you are in the theater. Madeleine Grynsztejn, Yolanda Cesta Cursach, Pritzker Director Associate Director Teresa Samala de Guzman, Cameron Heinze, Manager Patrons are seated at the manage- Deputy Director Richard Norwood, Theater Michael Darling, James W. Production Manager ment’s discretion. Food and open Alsdorf Chief Curator Alex Benjamin, Intern beverage containers are not allowed Noelia Cruz, Intern in the seating area. Performance Committee House Management Lois Eisen, Chair Kevin Brown, Associate Ellen Stone Belic Phill Cabeen, Associate Patricia Cox Tiffany Goodman, Associate Reproduction Ginger Farley Quinlan Kirchner, Associate Unauthorized recording and repro­ Jay Franke John C. Kern Box Office duction of a performance is prohibited. Lisa Yun Lee Matti Allison, Manager Elizabeth A. Liebman Phongtorn Phongluantum, Paula Molner Assistant Manager General information Sharon Oberlander Molly Laemle, Coordinator Maya Polsky Amy Esposito, Associate 312.280.2660 D. Elizabeth Price Caitin Joseph, Associate Carol Prins Alexandra Kavanau, Associate Cheryl Seder Alex Manges, Associate Patty Sternberg Diandra Miller, Associate Box office Richard Tomlinson 312.397.4010 Program notes compiled by Yolanda Cesta Cursach Volunteer for performances 312.397.4072 [email protected]

Museum hours Tuesday: 10 am–8 pm 220 East Chicago Avenue Wednesday–Sunday: 10 am–5 pm Chicago, IL 60611 Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, 312.280.2660 Christmas, and New Year’s Day mcachicago.org