 |
| Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography |
Backed by a dynamic trio of musicians whom are beyond amazing, Caprice rocked the club with a stellar performance. The trio consisted of Samuel Jennings on drums, Warren Cox on bass and Jerome Scorpiochild Dickens on guitar. This show was momentous not only did she performed four songs written by her and produced by her bandmate, Jerome, but this was the very first time that her and her bandmates performed live after only one rehearsal. The added bonus was the band showing off their bravado and creating a spiritual revival that you simply had to be there to witness when they performed the Funkadelic classic “Maggot Brain”.
 |
| Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography |
In addition to Caprice and her band rocking it out at NAMA that night, other artists also graced the stage with funky, soulful rhythms such as bands - The Signifyers, Deep Intent and Blu Skyyzz.
It was my very first time at NAMA and it certainly won’t be my last. The historic NAMA was founded in 1904 and is the oldest African-American musical organization in the United States. It was founded at the time that the American Federation of Musicians Local 310 (now, Local 802) did not admit minority musicians and the law stated that one had to be in the union in order to perform in New York City. While the New Amsterdam Musical Association has never defined itself as a Jazz-oriented organization, it has certainly been both a literal and figurative home for many jazz musicians. Located in Harlem, NAMA has served as a place for many musicians to gather after performances to socialize and to practice. It was not uncommon for the likes of John Coltrane or Max Roach to rehearse on the ground floor of the brownstone. NAMA’s rich history includes some its notable members such as Buster Bailey (clarinetist) Eubie Blake (pianist), Henry Minton (saxophonist, founder of Minton's Playhouse), Fred Staton (saxophonist) and many more.
NAMA is a great resource and performance venue for artists and offers lessons to all vocalists and instrumentalists at all levels. It also holds a host of community events such as jam sessions and barbecues that both serve as gathering times for the Harlem community as well as fundraising events for NAMA itself.
The event at illustrious NAMA was an incredible night!
 |
| Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography |
For more information about this event series, contact Z at BF Productions at (646) 262-5676. And for more information about NAMA visit their page on facebook.
-Chante
Posts
