This past Saturday’s Harlem Stage concert at Annunciation Park was one to be remembered. It was a complete community effort, combining the organizers of the performance at Annunciation Park, Revive Da Live, with the music communities that formed the Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble. The ensemble consisted of a total of 12 musicians with roughly half being from LA and half from the east coast, primarily NYC. A total meeting of the minds and talents of some of the hardest working musicians and guest performers.
Following the career of harpist Brandee Younger, has given me a greater understanding of the work ethic and dedication involved in the life of a gigging musician. To see the ensemble pull together and perform roughly 20 songs ranging from jazz standards to original compositions and breathe new life into the instrumentals of the late great producer J-Dilla, I can only imagine the level of work involved in accomplishing that Saturday what Miguel once delivered on the album “Suite For Ma Dukes”. In fact, I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking briefly with Miguel at the afterparty for the show and he mentioned that the night before was the only time he had gotten any real sleep in a month. Sacrificing sleep in preparation for the show and organizing with the musicians and performers, all for something you believe in. The reward? The looks on the faces of the people who are watching and enjoying the music that they love, with loved ones.
 Audience Shots
|  Audience Shots
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 Audience Shots
|  Audience Shots
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 young man watching show
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The tributes to Gil Scott-Heron were filled with great passion and love by Jose James and Marie Daulne of Zap Mama. Gil’s recent passing was a serious blow to my spirits, so it was a great feeling to see Jose James deliver a performance of “Winter in America” nearly identical in tone and hear Marie give a very interesting take on the hauntingly dark “Me and The Devil” from Gil’s most recent album. I was so impressed I recorded two small clips of these performances.
Pharoahe Monch gave an energized and spiritually uplifting performance closing out the show with the song “Still Standing” from his latest album W.A.R.
A full list of the musicians in the ensemble include: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (Violin), Jamire Williams (Drums), Kenneth Rodgers (Bass), Allakoi Peete (Percussion), Austin Peralta (Keys), Keyon Harrold (Trumpet), Joey Dosik’s (alto sax), Corey King (Trombone), Marcus Strickland (Tenor Sax), Evan Francis (Flute), Brandee Younger (harp) and Nir Felder (Guitar).
Here are a few of the photos I captured at the show:
 Jose James
|  Pharoahe Monch
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 Mela Machinko
|  Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
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 Brandee Younger
|  Pharoahe Monch
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 Marie Daulne of Zap Mama
|  Marie Daulne of Zap Mama
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 J.Period
|  Vinia Mojica
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 Jamire Williams
|  Jamire Williams
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 Marcus Strickland
|  Corey King
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 Allakoi Peete
|  Kenneth "Gizmo" Rodgers
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 Taylor McFerrin and Maya Azucena
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