EAR TAXI FESTIVAL – Picosa with Peter Ferry

Picosa’s third Ear Taxi Performance explores transformative struggles through diverse musical perspectives.  Valerie Coleman’s Hair, Cloth, and Thread voices Black ancestry through Clark’s textile art.  James Stephenson’s Persephone reimagines mythological battles and internal conflict.  Benjamin Horne’s I Remember You portrays dementia’s journey from confusion to recognition.

On “Redlin[ing], the central work of the program,” Shawn E. Okpebholo writes: “This piece represents my musical response to the discriminatory practice of ‘redlining.’ I aimed to portray the perpetuating cycles of poverty and segregation resulting from such systemic injustices. To explicitly tie the work to Chicago, the composition’s vibe is also informed by the iconic ‘red line’ on the L system.”

Program

Valerie Coleman | Hair, Cloth, and Thread  (flute/Alto flute/piccolo, percussion)
     I. Mom’s Wisdom
II. AR/JW
James Stephenson | Persephone   (full ensemble)
Benjamin Horne | I Remember You   (clarinet, violin, cello, piano)
Shawn E. Okpebholo | Redlin[ing]   (full ensemble, percussion)

Artists
Peter Ferry | percussion
Jennie Oh Brown | flute
Andrea R. DiOrio | clarinet
Elizabeth Brausa Brathwaite | violin
Russell Rolen | cello
Daniel Schlosberg | piano
Jonathon Kirk | composer-in-residence