Lasana D. Kazembe (spoken word); Rob Dixon (saxophone); Brandon Meeks (bass); Kenny Phelps (drums, percussion)
DR. LASANA D. KAZEMBE is an Emmy® Award-winning poet, educator, and founder of Watu Wazuri ('beautiful people' in Swahili), a dynamic ensemble of fearless creative artists, cultural visionaries, and mystics. Through intimate interconnections of sound and symbol, Watu Wazuri channels ancestral voices and uses art as a weapon and a direction of struggle.
Mélange: Variation on a Theme
This new visionary suite interprets the intersected historical experiences, modalities, and musings emerging from thought, sound, and movement. The presentation channels dynamic explorations of community, connection, and storytelling. This soundscape is an exciting blend of spoken word, live music, and live visual art conveyed in ways that challenge our notion of creative exploration, improvisation, and craft. The poetry and music emanate from a dynamic arc of cultural experiences and aesthetic contours framing and fueling the lives and narratives of a people. This suite was conceptualized by Lasana D. Kazembe and interpreted by Watu Wazuri.
Watu Wazuri ensemble: Lasana D. Kazembe (spoken word; percussion); Rob Dixon (saxophone); Brandon Meeks (electric bass); Kenny Phelps (drums; percussion); Darnell Perkins (congas) - Recorded live June 12, 2024, Indianapolis Arts Garden (Indianapolis, IN).
Paul Robeson: Man of the People
Paul Robeson: Man of the People - a new creative suite chronicling the life and legacy of the most important and iconic figure of the 20th century - features an jazz & classical musicians, vocalists, and live visual artmaking. Mr. Robeson's epic life story is artistically rendered in a lush stage production that features original poetry, storysong, dramatic narration, and live visual art.
PRMOTP ensemble: Lasana D. Kazembe (spoken word; librettist); Ernest Dawkins (saxophone; musical director); Corey Wilkes (trumpet); Isiah Keith (piano, vibes); Kevin King (flute, clarinet, oboe); Carmani Edwards (double bass); Isiah Spencer (drums); Caitlin Edwards (violin); Edith Yokley (violin); Wilfred Farquharson (viola); Tahirah Whittington (cello); Staci McCrackin (vocals) - Recorded live March 31, 2024, The Cabaret (Indianapolis, IN).
“The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre”: Blues Poetry Opera Soundscape
“The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre” is a multimedia theatrical presentation that chronicles the journey of Richard Wright from his migration from Mississippi to Chicago. This live presentation is comprised of a nonet (nine-piece ensemble) and features spoken word poetry, singing, saxophone, piano, upright bass and drums. The soundscape features bonus tracks, outtakes, and a 21-page color booklet.
Voodoo ensemble: Lasana D. Kazembe (spoken word; librettist); Rob Dixon (musical director; saxophone); Kenny Phelps (drums; percussion); Steven Jones (piano); Brandon Meeks (bass); Okara Imani (vocals); Allison Victoria (vocals); Keesha Dixon (narration; vocals) - Recorded live March 28, 2021, The Cabaret (Indianapolis, IN).
Chicago feat. Lasana D. Kazembe
A diverse ensemble of Chicago-based artists under the direction of David Boykin. This is a live recording from a set at The Empty Bottle, an old-time Chicago hangout. The piece is built around my eponymous poem.
Ensemble: David Boykin (music composition, tenor saxophone); Lasana D. Kazembe (spoken word); Nicole Mitchell (flute); Josh Abrams (bass); Darius Savage (bass); Avreeyal Ra (drums); Eliel Sherman Storey (tenor saxophone); Lawrence Jones (congas); Zahra Glenda Baker (vocals); Jeff Parker (guitar) - Released September 1, 2023, The Empty Bottle (Chicago, IL).