Emmanuel Michael - guitar
Harish Raghavan - bass
Josh Green - drums
Jacob Patrone - drums
Born and raised in South Dakota as a first-generation Ugandan and Southern Sudanese, Emmanuel is a New York City based artist who believes that without self-reflection and empathy towards himself and others, the foundation of what makes a truthful artist/human would crumble.
"I have always questioned the purpose of having specific ensemble instrumentations and the context that they may provide to the art. On this showing, I would like to present double drums once again, as I previously had a double drum and double bass ensemble earlier this year at The Jazz Gallery to present new and old original compositions. These investigations of art influenced by the diaspora with improvisation being a key factor do not feel out of the ordinary to me, nor should they be to anyone else.
Throughout the history of the diaspora, there have been countless ensembles that function with multiple drums that work together in sharing a space inhabiting similar and divergent timbres, tunings, rhythmic contexts, and especially harmonic contexts. Not to mention, various other ensembles throughout the general history of auditory art have multiple of the same/similar instrument with similar and contrasting elements.
As far as my main exposure to diasporic explorations of interesting ensemble make-ups, my parents, who are from Uganda and South Sudan naturally exposed me to many Acholi dance group ensembles that contain a multitude of various drums in the context I mentioned earlier of contrasting and parallel activity within the ensembles.
For my unreleased recordings of original compositions, I have always layered 10+ guitar parts with the guitar also playing the role of drums with multiple layers. Furthermore, on my own time, I often daydream of my art sometimes having multiple pulses in a different way I cannot quite explain at this moment in my life, but these pulses aren't strictly rhythmic pulses.
I believe that if anything has the ability to rejoice within the investigation of honest and truthful art, whatever that thing is has the right to exist as long as it is always questioning context."
SPONSORSHIP
The Jazz Gallery is a not-for-profit arts organization presenting emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. We provide a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
We rely on the generosity of our members and community to keep the music playing, thank you for your continued and much appreciated support! If you would like to sponsor a Livestream Concert, please use the links above or be in touch with our Executive Director, Janet Luhrs, here.