Gith's... FABs!

The Smith Quartet.  27 February 2009.  Artrix, Bromsgrove

Photo:Robert Taylor 
http://taylor-photo.co.uk/

Dances On a Ground (2009) for string quartet

Endymion Ensemble, Richard Baker (cond.), 18 June 2007, Christ Church, Spitalfields, London



Three spatially separated ensembles appear in the following order:

1) Tempo indication is Parlante ('as if speaking') which in this case describes the jerky dialogue between oboe/trumpet and bass clarinet (in its highest register, like a falsetto voice) The viola acts as a compass, always in normal tuning, unlike the microtonally distorted oboe and trumpet.

2) Lower (in pitch) than the first ensemble, a duo of piano and vibraphone is embedded in sustained lines of flutes, trombone and cello. These intermittent wisps of melody become more mechanical.

3) A more florid take on the preceding groups, this violin duo is, in both pitch and spatial placement the highest layer, slithering around within a narrow band of pitches. 

In the exposition these three layers are presented in a fairly clear-cut manner, with some overlap where all three are playing at the same time; but as the work progresses they start to congeal and diversify in different ways.

The title occurred to me for various reasons; firstly a preoccupation with the original versions of Bruckner's Third and Sibelius's Fifth Symphonies; but also an interest in the brisk developments which have taken place in the Spitalfields area: I am thinking of the demolition of the Bishopsgate Goods Yard (an adjunct to Brick Lane Market: murky archways of which I have cherished memories) and the exciting juxtapositions of modern (ensemble 1) and old architecture (ensemble 2).



Original Version (2007) for 12 instruments

Brunel Ensemble, conducted by Christopher Austin

"The new work was Viscid, by the 23-year-old Morgan Hayes - a great title and a promising piece, unfolding tangled skeins of melody over dark block chords…"
Andrew Clements, The Guardian, 7 January 1997


Viscid (1996) for 15 players

Huw Watkins (piano) 
performed in Vilnius, St. Catherine's Church, at the International Contemporary Music Festival
DRUSKOMANUA 2009

alternative version by Jonathan Powell available:
http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/recording/violin-concerto-0

Strides Book2 (2007) for solo piano : pieces 4 and 5

Find in Me - Remixed by JT Turbo

FM Hi LOW - "Riches" off the Everyone EP. (C)2013
written by FRASE
Riches
All the riches in the world
wont save you.

When you're down pick it up again
When you're down pick it up again

You've got your friends and your family ties
keep them close to the heart and it will be warm inside
Universal love sends vibrations,
powerful emancipation
for the heart of every nation.

All the riches in the world
wont save you.
All the riches in the world
wont save you.

When you're down pick it up again
when you're down pick it up again

the rise and fall of the ocean tide
sometimes you get wet 
and sometimes you stay dry
Universal love sends vibrations
powerful emancipation 
for the heart of every nation.

All the riches in the world
wont save you
All the riches in the world
wont save you from your self

When the planets align
and the sun, moon, and earth shine
the earth shines 
the earth shines

We will know that we will be able 
to weather the storm keeping it warm
All the riches in the world
wont save you from your self

Produced by BoRza Ghomeshi.



Riches

ArinMaya is an inspirational singer, songwriter, sound healer and activist who’s been described as having “a unique and ancient sound” by Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Gregory Porter.

Though she's been called "the Mayor of Brooklyn," ArinMaya originally hails from Chicago’s South Side. Her musical training and performance background began with studies in West African dance and rhythms, continued in numerous church and community choirs and was fostered by her parents’ diverse record collection, which included Bobby McFerrin, Ella Fitzgerald, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Paul Simon, among others. She’s gone on to study and sing with Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra, Ysaye Barnwell and Sweet Honey in the Rock— these experiences continually impact her writing and musical approach.

She has shared the stage with numerous icons, artists and activists, including Angelique Kidjo, Deva Mahal, Carly Simon, Maya Azucena, John Robinson, Akua Naru and Camille Trust, and is also a founding member, arranger and musical director with the Resistance Revival Chorus. She is committed to creating uplifting music with like-minded talent across the genres of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and world music and has most recently joined the M19s band, performing on hip-hop trailblazing duo Stretch and Bobbito’s new album, No Requests and headlining alongside Grammy-winning artist Mireya Ramos, Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh and world-renowned DJ Rich Medina. She was also recently seen on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, providing background vocals for Jim James (My Morning Jacket) with the Louisville Orchestra.

Her solo performances are known to be “joy-filled” and “healing” experiences that captivate audiences at intimate venues around the world, including: Blue Note Jazz Club (New York, Paris), The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), Harlem Stage, Ananda Ashram, National Sawdust, Core Club, Sofar Sounds (Chicago, Paris, New York, Philadelphia), Porgy & Bess (Austria), Flavourama Dance Fest (Austria), Café Galdos (Madrid), and Badehaus (Berlin). ArinMaya has also performed for incarcerated youth at Rikers Island and frequently supports programming at Crossing Point Arts, working with victims and survivors of sex trafficking.

In 2018, her song “Thank You” was considered for a Grammy in four categories and her music has been featured on Issa Rae’s award-winning web series "Giants," the Lifetime Network's AUDC, BET’s "Hustle in Brooklyn," and Spotify’s Leo Cosmic Playlist curated by Chani Nicholas. With five EPs and one album to her credit, ArinMaya is hard at work on her next solo project, and is committed to solidifying her place as musical healer, inspiring performer, teacher and community activist.

Find in Me - Remixed by JT Turbo

arinmaya