Hailed by The New York Times as "finely polished.a fresh source of energy" and by TimeOut New York as "forward thinking" was recognized by The New Yorker and TimeOut New York for presenting one of the ten best classical performances of 2012. Devoted to engaging new audiences, Mantra Percussion challenges the standard classical concert format by producing evening-length events that look toward a grander artistic vision. Bill Meyer, The Chicago Reader, February 13, 2014.Ĭommitted to expanding the future of percussion music, Mantra Percussion commissions and performs new, significant works for large percussion ensemble by both established and emerging composers. He’s performed in sad-clown makeup under the name Streets, and lately his preferred instrument has been the acoustic bass. He’s dialed back the heat and upped the abstraction (often on other horns), he’s turned jazz standards such as “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” into ruminative stride-piano fantasias, and he’s set aside music entirely to speak to his audiences about abortion, killing, and homelessness.
But as listeners came to expect him to keep flying the fire-music flag, he’s repeatedly turned the tables on them.
He began his recording career 25 years ago with a series of tenor-saxophone albums whose unstinting ferocity he’d forged during decades spent playing on the streets of New York City. In Queens it operates out of Public School 92 in Corona and Public School Q377 in Elmhurst.Ĭharles Gayle does not mean to comfort you. The program operates out of Public Schools 116, 377 and 123 in Bushwick Brooklyn. The interdisciplinary curriculum builds upon the children's interests and strengths, using the same effective, holistic, multicultural approach which is the hallmark of all of the Coalition's programs. Program activities build literacy in the widest sense of the word through creative writing, the visual arts, theater, photography, video, creative movement, music, martial arts, media literacy, gardening, and Yoga. The Arts and Literacy After School and Summer Program addresses the educational needs of Bushwick children by providing them with opportunities to create, think, communicate, and problem solve. The March 12th performance marks the first in a series of public concerts at ISSUE. The Oracle Djs- AKA Sam Hillmer, founder of Representing NYC- spins world bass and regional American dance music.Ī collaboration with ISSUE Project Room provides rehearsal space and a public platform for artists of Representing NYC.
Saxophonist Charles Gayle performs a live set in response to the youth art and performances, Mantra Percussion present a new structured improvisation inspired by student-made field recordings, and Nuit Blanche and ESP TV facilitate live projections from collages developed by students of the Arts and Literacy program on the digital publishing platform to.be. Students hailing from Bedstuy, Bushwick, Corona, and Elmhurst, present performance works developed at the Arts and Literacy after school program, joined by Charles Gayle, Mantra Percussion, Nuit Blanche, and ESP TV. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that Doodle-lahh, Doodle-lahh, Swing, Doodle-lahh, Doodle-lahh, Doodle-lahh Bang, Bang, Dikita Bang – Life is but a Groove.ISSUE Project Room and Representing NYC host an evening of innovative performance by New Yorkers ages 5 to 75. The power comes through us although not of us.
The Drummers Prayer is an affirmation, a teaching tool, and a learning experience that I share with all of my students, drummers and non drummers alike. It is a great privilege play music, and to pass forward what was lovingly shared with me.