by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Feb 28, 2024
Dedicated to Dr. Ceylon Mitchell in March 2023, Cuban composer Leo Brouwer’s “El cazador de historias” (The Hunter of Stories) comes literally from the posthumous book of the same name by Eduardo Galeano (Uruguayan journalist and writer), one of the most eminent thinkers of the last fifty years. Featuring controlled indeterminacy, extended techniques, and virtuosity from Brouwer’s avant-garde style of composition, this new work for flute, cello, and piano represents an eclectic sound universe connected to ancient and modern Latin American literature and culture. Paquito D’Rivera’s Invitación al Danzón, originally written for clarinet trio, pays homage to the national dance of Cuba, the guajira country song, and the strong influence of jazz upon D’Rivera’s compositional style.
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Feb 28, 2024
Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II – flute
Amanda Densmoor – soprano
Yejin Lee – piano
We’ve curated a beautiful program, and we’d love for you to join us!
Ricetti gramezza e pavento (J. S. Bach)
Villanelle (Eva Dell’acqua)
Portrait (Cécile Chaminade)
Three Irish Folk Songs (John Corigliano)
Bird Song (Michael Head)
2 movements from Four Fugitive Pieces, Op. 15 (Clara Schumann)
Trois odelettes Anacréontiques (Maurice Emmanuel)
Ah vous dirais-je maman (Adolphe Adam)
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Feb 28, 2024
Join us for an evening celebrating the iconic Cuban charanga Orquesta Aragón, one of the most beloved Cuban music groups and global ambassadors. The beautiful polyrhythms of Afro-Cuban music and balletic European contradanzas meet in hits such as “El Bodeguero” and “Pare Cochero.” Richard Egües, nicknamed la flauta magica, is famous for his distinctive flute playing and catchy songwriting for the group during the danzón and cha-cha-cha craze of the 1940s/1950s. This performance pays homage to his innovations and influence to this day.
Flutist Ceylon Mitchell leads Raíces Negras, a modern Cuban charanga ensemble full of award-winning musicians, providing sonorous melodies and rhythmic grooves that will move your body! With polyphonic percussion and harmonious vocals, this dynamic and unique flute-led ensemble celebrates traditional Cuban forms and Latin Jazz with classics as well as commissions in a fun, improvisatory style. ¡A Gozar!
• Sarah Taylor Cook, lead vocals/pregón
• Jeannette Lewis, flute, vocals/coro
• Taisha Estrada, vocals/coro
• Christine Kharazian, violin
• Amyr Joyner, violin
• Erin Murphy Snedecor, cello
• Ellington Carthan, piano
• Michael Bowie, bass
• Fran Vielma, congas
• Dominique Patrick Noel, timbales
• Bruno Lucini, drum set, guïro, claves
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Feb 9, 2024
In honor of their 125th and 50th birthdays, five-time Grammy Award®–winning pianist, composer, producer, and founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council Member Robert Glasper celebrates the iconic musical legacies of Duke Ellington and J Dilla through his genre-shattering brand—Black Radio. This special one-night-only concert will feature special guests alongside the Black Radio Orchestra led by two-time Grammy Award®–winning composer, conductor, arranger, musical director, and bassist Derrick Hodge.
Presented as part of the Hip Hop &… Festival and Ellington 125.
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Jan 26, 2024
Join us for an evening celebrating the iconic Cuban charanga Orquesta Aragón, one of the most beloved Cuban music groups and global ambassadors. The beautiful polyrhythms of Afro-Cuban music and balletic European contradanzas meet in hits such as “El Bodeguero” and “Pare Cochero.” Richard Egües, nicknamed la flauta magica, is famous for his distinctive flute playing and catchy songwriting for the group during the danzón and cha-cha-cha craze of the 1940s/1950s. This performance pays homage to his innovations and influence to this day.
Flutist Ceylon Mitchell leads Raíces Negras, a modern Cuban charanga ensemble full of award-winning musicians, providing sonorous melodies and rhythmic grooves that will move your body! With polyphonic percussion and harmonious vocals, this dynamic and unique flute-led ensemble celebrates traditional Cuban forms and Latin Jazz with classics as well as commissions in a fun, improvisatory style. ¡A Gozar!
