AACM Concert Series 2019

About the Artists:

DOUGLAS R. EWART

The polymathic Douglas R. Ewart has been honored for his work as a composer, improvising multi-instrumentalist, conceptual artist, sculptor, mask and instrument designer, builder and more. As an educator, Ewart bridges his kaleidoscopic activities with a vision that opposes today’s divided world by culture-fusing works that aim to restore the wholeness of communities and their members, and to emphasize the reality of the world’s interdependence. From Kingston, Jamaica, Ewart immigrated to Chicago in 1963. There he studied with the master musicians of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians—an organization he later served as chairman in Chicago, at different intervals from1979-1987 and into the millennium. He also studied music at VanderCook College of Music, and electronic music at Governors State University. Ewart is the founder of Arawak Records, is the leader of ensembles such as the Nyahbingi Drum Choir, Quasar, Clarinet Choir, and Douglas R. Ewart & Inventions. He is a designer and creator of instruments and kinetic sonic sculptures that have been exhibited in venues such as Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. “Crepuscule,” his vast periodic conceptual work, is collectively actualized by scores of musicians, dancers, visual artists, poets, capoeira, puppeteers, martial artists, activists, the honoring of elders and more. Ewart’s honors include a U.S. Japan Creative Arts Fellowship, a Bush Artists Fellowship, and an Outstanding Artist Award granted by a former Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington. He is a Professor Emeritus at the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago. www.douglasewart.com

ADEGOKE STEVE COLSON - pianist, composer, saxophonist - performs internationally as a soloist and leader of ensembles ranging from trios to orchestras. His recorded work appears on labels including Columbia/Sony, Evidence, and Black Saint. His solo piano recording, Tones For, on the Colson’s Silver Sphinx Label, received international praise including Jazz Times’ Editor’s Pick. Accolades for other Silver Sphinx recordings include The Untarnished Dream, voted in the top 10 % of Village Voice International Jazz Critics Poll; and a Grammy® nomination for Hope for Love. The exhibition “Soul of a Nation – Art in the Age of Black Power” includes the album cover and liner notes on Triumph! which is the Colson’s first recording on Silver Sphinx. This exhibit opened in 2018 at ‘Tate Modern’ in London and is currently on tour in the U.S.

Ade has received several commissions and awards for composition, and some of his pieces for small ensemble are being recorded and performed by other notable musicians. Born in Newark and raised in East Orange, NJ, he earned his degree from Northwestern University School of Music and eventually returned to the east coast. While living in Chicago he joined the AACM in 1972 and served as chair in the mid 70’s.

In November 2018 Ade was inducted into The East Orange Hall of Fame, joining other distinguished E.O. talents including Althea Gibson, Dionne Warwick, Naughty by Nature, John Amos, and Whitney Houston.

Follow on Instagram @colsonsmusic www.colsonsmusic.com

OLIVER LAKE

Oliver Lake, whether painting or composing major commissioned works for the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra the Brooklyn Philharmonic; creating chamber pieces for the Arditti and Flux String Quartets, the World Sax Quartet, the San Francisco Contemporary Players, arranging for pop diva Bjork, rocker Lou Reed and rap group A Tribe Called Quest, collaborating with poets, the late Ntozake Shange or Chinese poet Huang Xiang: choreographers Ron Brown and Marlies Yearby, Native American vocalist Mary Redhouse, Korean kumongo player Jin Hi Kim, Chinese bamboo flautist Shuni Tsou; doing unique performances with MacArthur Award recipients, actress/author Anna Devere Smith and writer/law professor/political commentator Patricia Williams; sharing the stage with hip-hop artist Mos Def and pop star Me'shell Ndegeocello; or leading his own Organ Quartet, Steel Quartet, Big Band and cooperative ensembles the World Saxophone Quartet and Trio 3; renaissance man Oliver Lake views it all as parts of the same whole. Lake attributes much of his diverse array of musical styles and disciplines to his experience with the Black Artists Group (BAG), the legendary multi-disciplined and innovative St. Louis collective he co-founded with poets Ajule Rutlin, and musicians Julius Hemphill and Floyd La Flore over 35 years ago. Additionally, as a co-founder of the internationally acclaimed World Saxophone Quartet with Julius Hemphill, Hamiet Bluiett and David Murray in 1977, Oliver continues to work with the WSQ, his own various groups, and collaborations with many notable choreographers, poets and a veritable Who's Who of the progressive jazz scene of the late 20th century, performing all over the U.S. as well as in Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. www.oliverlake.net