David Dalle
Thursday February 13th, 2025 with David Dalle
Black History Month: Derrick Skye and his Bridge To Everywhere; More African music from all over the continent.

American composer Derrick Skye is the anti-Trump: a young, Black composer whose music incorporates a wide gamut of multicultural influences. He creates gorgeous music of incredible warmth and joy. His approach to music and life is exemplified in the performing and arts organization he founded in 2015 which he named "Bridge To Everywhere", which promotes cross-cultural collaboration and education. We will hear two compositions from 2018, "American Mirror" for string quartet, followed by "From Here A Path" performed by the Bridge To Everywhere chamber orchestra. Derrick Skye described the former: "The two-part composition 'American Mirror' reflects on the coming together of cultures in our society, which consists of many generations and descendants of refugees, slaves, and immigrants, and how intercultural collaborations are essential to the wellbeing of American society. Melodically, the piece draws from West African, North African, and Eastern European vocal techniques and ornamentations, in addition to modal scales. Underneath these melodies, American Mirror uses open harmonies commonly found in Appalachian folk music, and also includes drones." “From Here A Path” draws inspiration from “Husago" (a piece that includes drumming, dancing, and singing) from the Ewe people of Ghana, kaval flute playing from Eastern Europe, and elements of Hindustani classical music.