Directed by Ohene Cornelius
Music by Melanie Charles
/ damballa-wedo-single
The New School For Jazz Graduate recruited LA & NY's finest musicians: Donald Barrett, drums; Chris Cadenhead Piano; Brandon Eugene Owens bass; Dave Sampson guitar; Bendji Allonce percussion; and Chris Sorem, engineer and founder of @ Nest Recorders LA for a 6 hour recording session to submit a 5 song audition tape to the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal competition 2015. After receiving an unexpected and shocking rejection letter, Melanie decided to flip the loss into an opportunity to share what was submitted to the competition on the exact day the competition is set to happen. This disappointment led Charles to embark on a mission to reclaim and re-position JAZZ. Making it a “life form” for those who are creating art independently from the “corporate jazz museum”.
Damaballa Wedo is a Haitian Voodoo Folk song from the point of view of Damballa and Ayida the two medicinal "Loa" or 'Gods". The songs says that if you do not celebrate these Gods faithfully, when you decide to return, you will cry. Charles interpretation is inspired by an arrangement by guitarist Eddy Bourjolly. This basic mix perfectly displays Melanie’s natural, authentic Jazz aesthetic, mixed in with her edgy Brooklyn personality utilizing her Haitian culture to tie it all together.
1 окт 2024
