now
Makanda Project
Makanda Archive
links
acknowledgments
contact
Makanda Project
Makanda Archive
links
acknowledgments
contact
The Makanda Project,
an ensemble based in Makanda Ken McIntyre's hometown of Boston, is dedicated to continuing Makanda's legacy through the performance of his music - specifically, by playing compositions which Makanda never had the opportunity to record or perform in public. An enormous body of such work exists, reflecting the full range of Makanda's imagination as a composer. The group hopes that as some of it is heard there will be heightened appreciation for Makanda's significance as a musician.The band, which was formed in 2005 and has kept mostly the same personnel since then, consists of 13 musicians: 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, a vocalist, piano, bass, and drums. The leader, pianist John Kordalewski, who studied and performed with Makanda, has written arrangements for the large group, working from the lead sheets in Makanda's notebooks. For some concerts the group adds a vocal ensemble, and for others a guest soloist: Oliver Lake, Craig Harris, Warren Smith, Carl Grubbs, Odean Pope, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Joe Ford, and Billy Hart are among those who have appeared with the band. On some occasions the group also collaborates with dancer/choreographer Mickey Davidson and her company, adding a movement dimension to the interpretations of Makanda's compositions.
Since 2007 the group has presented an ongoing series of free concerts in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. These concerts have reflected a belief in the importance of building a presence and role for the music on a community level. They have also served as a consistent platform from which to present an ever-expanding repertoire of Makanda's compositions to an appreciative and growing audience. The group has also performed elsewhere in New England and beyond.
Also in keeping with Makanda's legacy, most of the members of the Makanda Project are educators as well as musicians, and the group has presented a variety of educational programs along with its performances.
[Click photo to enlarge.]
Standing, left to right: Arni Cheatham, John Lockwood, John Kordalewski,
Charlie Kohlhase, Kurtis Rivers, Robert Stringer, Lance Bryant, Sean Berry,
Diane Richardson, Bill Lowe, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Yoron Israel;
Kneeling left to right: Jerry Sabatini, Josiah Woodson
[Click photo to enlarge.]
Bottom, left to right: John Kordalewski, Charlie Kohlhase, Lance Bryant,
John Lockwood, Bill Lowe, Arni Cheatham, Robert Stringer, Joe Ford,
Eddie Allen, Kurtis Rivers, Jerry Sabatini, Diane Richardson.
Hidden behind trumpets: Yoron Israel
[Click photo to enlarge.]
Bottom, left to right: John Kordalewski, Charlie Kohlhase, Lance Bryant,
John Lockwood, Bill Lowe, Arni Cheatham, Robert Stringer, Joe Ford,
Eddie Allen, Kurtis Rivers, Jerry Sabatini, Diane Richardson.
Hidden behind trumpets: Yoron Israel
