The Betsy and Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator welcome Phillip Alexander as part of DVCAI's Summer 2018 Artist in Residence program. Join Phillip for an evening of conversation as he presents the work of some of Jazz's most important female vocalists, while developing a body of work, Four Women, dedicated to the legacy of the songstresses of rhythm and blues
“Four women” is a performance art cabaret that focuses on the artistry and significance of Black female voices. This performance honors four generations of black female vocalist and their most popular songs. In this performance piece, I will explore black female voice/vocals as the first voice that one hears awaiting their entrance into the world, and the last voice one hears as one makes their transition into the next realm. From lullabies, to calls to action or celebration of life, or expressions of forlorn love and loss; Black women’s songs can be a vocal salve. For many decades, we have heard the black female voice on radio, television and movie soundtracks – sometimes as chart-topping blockbusters, but oftentimes going unrecognized and relegated to the background. As a vocalist and artist, I believe these voices have a power that resonates across race, gender, class and ethnic boundaries. I intend to honor these women through song and narration by showing the importance of their musical contributions, life experiences, and enduring hopefulness.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: Phillip started his solo recording career when the musical landscape was ripe with wanna-be soulster and R&B darlings: But mostly coffee house poetry scene players setting their works to music. “Snaps’ Snap” in recognition to some shared remembrances, while others were seriously elevating the conversation of love and loss, through song and instrumentation. Phillip Alexander carved out a clearing in that wilderness of voices, machine-built images and stolen melodies, to captivate, inspire and move his listener. Elder artist took time to tell stories of their lives through melodic phrasing, lilting vocals and chord structures that still boggle the mind. They told us stories of where they were and what was happening at that moment, hoping of course to entertain; yet helping you heal and giving you a safe place to laugh, cry, dance and sing. These legends include Gladys Knight, Aretha Frankin, Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, The Pointer Sisters, Stevie Wonder,Sylvester, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nile Rogers, Patti Labelle and Labelle and of course Prince, Michael & Whitney. Really there are too many to name.