This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Mr. Paige studies saxophone with Sam Slelton.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1507/thumbnail.jp

Boone, Robert

Leach, Jared

Paige, Kwame

Reid, Brian

Spearman, Herman

Thomas, Jordan

English

DigitalCommons@Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State UniversityCollege of the ArtsSchool of MusicpresentsJunior Recital"Soul Searching with Gregory Porter"Kwame Paige, saxophoneThursday, April 24, 2014 7:00 p.m.Music Building Recital Hall One Hundred Nineteenth Concert of the 2013-14 Concert SeasonProgram"Soul Searching with Gregory Porter"Take a trip with me and Mr. Porter as we embark on a journey to something that never dies: the soul. Mr. Porter once said, "There are some people who want that liquid spirit - a soulful, thoughtful sound - and they haven’t been getting it.”- Kwame PaigeGREGORY PORTER (b. 1971)Wisdom WAYNE SHORTER (b. 1933)Black NileGREGORY PORTER Painting on CanvasMAX ROACH (1924-2007)Lonesome LoverGREGORY PORTERWind SongHerman Spearman, tromboneJared Leach, guitarBrian Reid, pianoJordan Thomas, bassRobert Boone, drumsThis recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance.Mr. Paige studies saxophone with Sam Slelton.Program NotesWisdomGREGORY PORTER (b. 1971)This powerful tune pays homage to those who have paved the way for us to become who we are today. The tune says, “traveling far from home, further now as we roam, future debts fully paid, wisdom,” describing the journey that our ancestors have traveled to enrich us with the power of being our own person. The lyrics of this tune use water as a metaphor for the obstacles that our ancestor overcame to gain wisdom, which is significant because the tune appears on Mr. Porter’s debut album entitled Water. The song’s harmonic structure is similar to that of an old spiritual with lyrics reminiscent of the biblical song, “Wade in the Water.”Black NileWAYNE SHORTER (b. 1933)"Black Nile" comes from the Wayne Shorter album Night Dreamer. This album was written at a time in Shorter’s career when his writing was becoming harmonically simpler. Shorter says that the album is representational of enlightenment, when people discover their purpose and who they are. This tune is also on Mr. Porter’s album Water;  however, instead of water representing an obstacle (like in “Wisdom”), it represents a state of clarity. This is evident in the verse that says “Hey, take my hand and see, creations planned along the old, black Nile.”Painting on CanvasGREGORY PORTER This beautiful ballad is the first track on Mr. Porter’s second album Be Good. This tune describes how adults are similar to children. Like them, adults learn from daily experiences. We gain knowledge every day through our encounters with people and these encounters teach us who we are. The song proclaims, “Step back and admire my view,” reminding us to admire our true beauty despite our flaws, because that is what makes us who we are.Lonesome LoverMAX ROACH (1924-2007)This hard hitting swing tune was included on the 1962 album It’s Time by the late Max Roach. This album was revolutionary because it featured both an orchestra and full chorus. It also featured his wife at the time, Abbey Lincoln. Mr. Porter’s cover of this tune exudes the same soulful feeling that Max Roach portrayed on It’s Time. The song tells the story of someone who stands at the brink of losing his lover because of mistakes made during the relationship. He realizes what he is about to lose and pleads for forgiveness. At this point, he can only hope because nobody wants to be a lonesome lover. Wind SongGREGORY PORTER “Wind Song” is featured on Mr. Porter’s Grammy Award winning album Liquid Spirit. This tune is an eloquent story about love that never dies. Through the arguing and bickering, something special between two individuals pushes them to want to be together for a lifetime. The last verse says; I’m glad it’s clear the rain this year came down so strongto test my song of love for youI love you still and always willso if my song repeatsKnow that I’m stuck on youI’m stuck on youAnd then I realizeAfter a million yearsThe wind song goes along. True Love is everlasting just like the wind because it comes full circle. BiographiesGregory Porter has been considered a shooting star on the jazz scene since his debut album Water was released in 2009. Each of his phenomenal al-bums has been nominated for a Grammy award. His album Liquid Spirit received Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Mr. Porter presents a homogeneous mixture of jazz, soul, and gospel that speaks to a diverse audience. Mr. Porter names Nat King Cole as a great influence in his life, having spent his childhood listening to and trying to imitate Nat King Cole’s voice. Mr Porter stated that as a child, he imagined that Nat King Cole was his father and every time he heard him sing, Nat King Cole was speaking to him. Mr. Porter made his first break when featured on Hubert Law’s 1998 album entitled Hubert Law Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole. Mr. Porter is a sincere and captivating performer with a groove the never ends and lyrics that send the listener into reverie.Kwame Paige is a music education and jazz performance major at Kennesaw State University. He holds an Associate of Fine Arts in Music from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. At ABAC, he was president of the collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education and also principal saxophonist in all music ensembles. He is an active member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble at Kennesaw State University. Mr. Paige regularly performs in the Atlanta area and will be graduating in the spring of 2015.

Junior Recital: Kwame Paige, saxophone

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1507&amp;context=musicprograms

Junior Recital: Kwame Paige, saxophone

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