Event Description
Courtney Bryan, pianist and composer, and Brandee Younger, harpist and composer
Alice Coltrane was an uncompromising pianist, harpist, organist, composer and bandleader, who spent the majority of her life seeking spiritually in both music and her private life.* This event will pay homage to Alice’s music and legacy through a live performance of her work, original compositions from musicians who have been inspired by her, and a panel discussion with artists and scholars exploring issues represented through her music and legacy including spirituality, gender, race, diaspora, and her impact on American music. RSVP to Jacqueline Rios at jsr62@drexel.edu. Dinner will be provided. Musicians/Composers: Courtney Bryan a native of New Orleans, La., is “a pianist and composer of panoramic interests” (New York Times). Her music is in conversation with various musical genres, including jazz and other types of experimental music, as well as traditional gospel, spirituals, and hymns. Bryan has academic degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (BM), Rutgers University (MM), and Columbia University (DMA) with advisor George Lewis, and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University. She will begin her position as Assistant Professor of Music at Tulane University's Newcomb Department of Music beginning in Fall 2016. Brandee Younger is known as a hybrid harpist and is classically trained and active in jazz and popular music. She is noted for her work with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and is heavily inspired by the works of Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby. In addition, she has worked with Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Bill Lee and Reggie Workman and has appeared on recordings with popular artists including John Legend, Common (Finding Forever), Ryan Leslie, Drake and is featured on the
2013 Grammy Award – nominated album New York: A Love Story by Mack Wilds. Bryan and Younger will have merchandise available for purchase. Cash only, please. Meet and greet will follow the event. This free event is open to the Drexel community and to the public (you must RSVP). Co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, Africana Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, the Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, and the History Department. *Source: AllMusic.com |
