Below is my audio recap of last week’s 100 Saxophones for Sun Ra. It originally aired on the radio program Reclaimed Soul on Vocalo, 89.5fm and 90.7fm here in Chicago. For more about the event click here.
I’ve also included a slideshow. Jive on!
Category Archives: Live Music
100 Saxophones for Sun Ra Recap
100 Saxophones for Sun Ra
Chicago Free Jazz composer and saxophonist David Boykin invites you to participate in 100 Saxophones for Sun Ra. David is currently a Resident Artist at the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life/Center for the Study of Race Politics and Culture.
David has put out an open call for 100 saxophonists to participate in a musical tribute to Sun Ra in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. 100 saxophonists will convene and perform “Happy Birthday” at 12 noon in Washington Park (on Chicago’s South Side) on Thursday May 22, 2014, his 100th birthday.
According to the open call:
“This is a historic opportunity to share our collective energy in honor of this musician whose musical, political and spiritual philosophy has been impactful and transformative to so many. His legacy continues because of the ways in which his musical innovation has been central to the free jazz movement in Chicago and beyond.
[David] chose this space and place because of its significance to [Sun Ra]. Along with other musicians, artists and activists he gathered in the park to play and to teach. In celebration of this work we invite you to participate in this gathering of saxophonists of all ages.”
RSVPs should be sent by email to info@sonichealingministries.com
Free bus transportation is available for student groups that wish to participate. Please contact Dominique L. Boyd for bus arrangements at dominiquelboyd@uchicago.edu
Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his “cosmic philosophy,” musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
DJ Ayana: Spinning in the Park.
…Hyde Park, that is. This Saturday at 7pm CST, I’ll be spinning at an In-Store at Hyde Park Records (1377 E 53rd St Chicago, IL 60615). It’ll be cool.
For more on Hyde Park Records, listen to my interview with the owner, a Frenchman by the name of Alexis Bouteville that originally aired on my radio show, Reclaimed Soul.
In this Episode, Alexis Bouteville, owner of Hyde Park Records, talks about coming to Chicago from Paris, and how owning a record store here was ‘a dream’. Bouteville also waxes poetic about how here in Chicago, he not only hears “the music”, but can “see it” all over the South Side.
For more information on Reclaimed Soul, visit: vocaloreclaimedsoul.tumblr.com
Reclaimed Soul Episode 037: Otis Clay’s Truth Is…
On this installment of Reclaimed Soul (my radio show), we’re be graced by Chicago vocalist Otis Clay. We listen to some favorite deep records from his 50+ year career that spans Gospel, Soul, and Blues.
We also hear about the father figures in Otis Clay’s career, and about why he decided to start his own record label. He even talks about how it felt to find out that he’s “big in Japan” (among other places).
Plus, we’ll sample his newest album, “Truth Is” which was produced and arranged by Chicago Soul heavyweight Tom Tom Washington (Tom Tom also contributed to this interview).
for more on Reclaimed Soul, visit: vocaloreclaimedsoul.tumblr.com
David Boykin Trio: Live at Dorchester Projects Album Release/Listening Party.
Saturday February 16th at 8pm, join local Chicago Jazz combo The David Boykin Trio (Boykin on sax, Alex Wing on bass, and James Woodley on drums) at the new Washington Park Arts Incubator. They will be playing work from the new album “Live at the Dorchester Projects”. I (also known as DJ Ayana Contreras) will also be spinning.
Dusty Groove says about the new record:
One of the greatest albums so far from mighty Chicago reedman David Boykin – and easily a set that lives up to the rich legacy of avant jazz in the Windy City! There’s a depth to the record that comes through right from the very first note – a sense of history and feeling that shows just how much Boykin’s developed as a player over the past decade or so – a tenorist with a done that’s right up there with Archie Shepp or David Murray at their creative best – really stretching out on some wonderful solos that never fail to dim in imagination or new ideas.
The event is a part of the “Off the Record Series”, through the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Elastic Arts. The year-long series highlights new works by local musicians released on vinyl.
Below, my interview with David about the new record, and about the scene in Chicago today. This originally aired on my radio program, Reclaimed Soul. Reclaimed Soul airs on 89.5fm in Chicago, and streams on vocalo.org everywhere Thursday Nights at 8pm CST. Jive on!
the particulars:
David Boykin Trio: Live at Dorchester Projects Listening/Album Release Party
Friday February 16th, 8pm – 11pm
Washington Park Arts Incubator
301 East Garfield Blvd., Chicago
Otis Clay: Live at S.P.A.C.E.
Otis Clay performs this Saturday night (January 5th, 2013) at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston.
He’s a Chicago-bred deep soul artists I’ve profiled before on Darkjive. He’s recorded on a ton of labels (including Kayvette, Dakar, Hi, One-Der-Ful, and his own Echo imprint since his beginnings in the 1950s), but it’s his consistency that stands out.
This event is celebrating the release of his latest album, “Truth Is”.
for more info, and to buy tickets, click here
DJ Ayana: Ready. Set. Spin.
I’ll be spinning at two public events this week (and just picked up a whole bunch of records…):
Reclaimed Soul at Maria’s
Tuesday November 13th, 10pm-2pm
Spinning groovy classics and rarities with a heavy Chicago accent (not unlike my weekly Radio Show, Reclaimed Soul)
96o w. 31st Street, Chicago
No Cover.
Genius of Jazz and Hip Hop
I’ll be spinning hip hop (mostly instrumentals), samples, jazz, and some new grooves (all on wax). Also on the bill are:
Chess Mastaz – performers of “metaphysical hip hop”
http://chessmastaz.bandcamp.com/
David Boykin Expanse – experimental jazz infused with hip hop lyricism – David Boykin sax and vocals, James Baker keyboards, Alex Wing bass, Phillip Fornet drumset
http://sonichealingministries.com/
Saturday November 17th, 9pm
Carlos and Sarah’s Surplus of Options
3664 N. Lincoln Avenue
Suggested Donation $7
Melodic Expansions: David Boykin Expanse with DJ Ayana… pass it on.
Psssst… David Boykin Expanse with DJ Ayana. It’s a righteous situation at a secret location. RSVP info@perpetualrebel.com for more info.
Theaster Gates’ Dorchester Projects
What do you get when you mix a maverick artist with strong community ties and an Urban Planner? For one thing, Theaster Gates. For another, the Dorchester Projects, pictured above. Theaster has been purchasing properties in the Woodlawn/Grand Crossing neighborhood for a few years now, and has quietly acquired the stock of the former Dr. Wax record store as well as the now defunct Prairie Avenue Bookstore (both businesses were revered in their respective collector communities). He created a home for glass lantern slides that depict the canon of Western Fine Art. Using reclaimed materials, he is turning his properties into cultural community hubs, featuring curators and programming that reflects the collections and the community.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll be curating the record collection in May and June of 2011, culminating in a series of talks on Chicago Music History (details to follow) and a couple of good, old-fashioned dance parties starring local-born music.
Read the New York Times article about what’s poppin on the South Side with the Dorchester Projects.
You’re Tuff Enough: junior wells’ new breed blues
The title cut off this 1968 album is a bluesy monster produced by Charles Stepney with more than enough groove to stay squarely in the pocket. Also on this album is the local hit “Up in Heah”, another blues-infused party track. Both of the records will make sceptics rethink the blues. According to the back of the album:
“Talk about somebody being “tuff” enough. One night in Pepper’s Lounge, a little night spot on Chicago’s South Side, Junior Wells was introduced as “the little Giant of the blues”. It was around midnight and the Chatter that had been incessant for about three hours ceased. In cool dignity the little black walked to the stage, and said: “I’m gonna sing them damn blues, and you’d better dig it.” This audience at Pepper’s where all the blues greats have passed through and left their mark, is as hip an audience as any performer ever faced. When you bring them slow blues it better be nasty, and when you swing it better make them move. Shoot blanks and you won’t last long. Junior Wells could stay there eternally. “
–David Llorens
-
word on the street
Janice on Gouster or Ivy Leaguer? Nyssa Perkins on La Cade: The little hair care… Drew on Hi-Fi White: Foodstamps, Bulld… Nicholas B on No Coast, Schmo Coast… 
darkjive.com 