The Makanda Project featuring Ricky Ford: new compositions based on poetry of Langston Hughes

Renowned saxophonist Ricky Ford joins the Makanda Project for a very special program. Mr. Ford has written a new series of compositions, orchestrated for big band, based on the poems by Langston Hughes. Poet Askia Toure, a Roxbury resident who, as a key architect of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, was mentored by Langston Hughes, will read the poems within the musical arrangements. The Makanda Project, normally 13 musicians, will add three additional horn players to perform the full, gorgeous orchestrations conceived by Mr. Ford. The compositions, as well as Mr. Toure’s delivery, highlight the lyrical and rhythmic qualities of Mr. Hughes’ poems. And the messages of the poems remain highly relevant in today’s world.

There will be two shows, at 7:00 and 8:30. Reservations are recommended. Visit https://makandaproject.com/upcoming-performances/   for information on reservations.

Ricky Ford – tenor saxophone

Askia Toure – poetry

Kurtis Rivers – alto saxophone

Lee Odom – alto saxophone

Temidayo Balogun – tenor saxophone

Paavo Carey – tenor saxophone

Charlie Kohlhase – baritone saxophone

Jerry Sabatini – trumpet

Haneef Nelson – trumpet

Ryan Kapoor – trumpet

Lemuel Marc – trumpet

Alfred Patterson – trombone

Sarah Politz – trombone

Jeb Bishop – trombone

Bill Lowe – bass trombone

John Kordalewski – piano

John Lockwood – bass

Yoron Israel – drums