"Harlem Voices" Suite for Concert Band - Score and Parts
Harlem Voices© is a musical I composed that is set in the 1920s. It is the first of three musicals dealing with Harlem, NY from 1923 through the present day. Harlem Voices© explores present-day issues of racism, LGBTQ issues, inept leadership, African-American military service in WWI, and racial profiling (among many other issues). It is about a brilliant young black vocalist who was traumatized by the Rosewood, FL massacre of her family members by the KKK. She is conflicted by falling in love with a white patron of the racially segregated club where she works in Harlem called the Black Jay Club. The time frame of Harlem Voices© is from January 4, 1923 through March 25, 1935.
This suite of pieces are arrangements for concert band that I did of key songs from Harlem Voices©. I included lyrics for "They Night They Burned Rosewood", "Jacks' Not So Bad", and "Heart Broken Heart"so the listener can gain an understanding of the emotional setting of the movements. The Pantheon Club Swing is an instrumental piece with no lyrics.
