THE MOVEMENT Revisited in Celebration of Black History Month

Poet Sonia Sanchez and Actor Dion Graham join cast of narrators

DETROIT, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In celebration of Black History Month, organizers of the Detroit International Jazz Festival announce an unprecedented event in partnership with Bishop Edgar L. Vann II of Second Ebenezer Church. THE MOVEMENT Revisited, a jazz opus by Christian McBride, will make its Detroit debut at Second Ebenezer Church, Sunday, February 14 at 7:30pm. Dedicated to four icons of the Civil Rights Movement, the piece will be performed by the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra, the Second Ebenezer Majestic Voices, the Christian McBride Quintet and narrators, to be announced.  Free tickets are available by visiting www.detroitjazzfest.com until Saturday, February 13.  Individuals unable to reserve online may call 313.447.1248.  Tickets are limited and will be distributed based on a first come, first served basis.

THE MOVEMENT Revisited pays tribute to Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.  McBride believes that "the sacrifices made by these four individuals have been so enveloped in myth that to a large extent, their names are remembered more than their accomplishments. This piece captures musically how their deeds shaped our world, and reminds us of our responsibility to pave the way for many to live a better life."  In celebration of the election of America's first Black President in 2009, McBride has written a new movement which will premiere at this performance. Confirmed narrators include internationally renowned poet, author and playwright Sonia Sanchez as Rosa Parks; actor Dion Graham, whose credits include The Wire, Law & Order and Homicide: Life on the Street, as Muhammad Ali; Dr. Willis Patterson, Professor Emeritus of University of Michigan School of Music as Malcolm X; and Bishop Vann as The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Performers include:

• Christian McBride Band.  Mr. McBride will perform and conduct, and his band, Ron Blake, saxophone, Geoffrey Keezer, piano, Terreon Gully, drums, and Warren Wolfe, vibes, will be featured as soloists.
• The Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra (DJFO). Under the direction of Dennis Wilson, DJFO is the official big band of the Detroit Jazz Fest. Featuring some of the best musicians in Southeast Michigan, it was initiated in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Detroit Jazz Fest and made its debut in 2009.  The members are educators and are also engaged in Detroit Jazz Fest's Jazz Infusion project at the Detroit School of Arts.
• Second Ebenezer Majestic Voices.  Conducted by J.D. Steele, the powerful choir at Second Ebenezer will be joined by outstanding student singers from the University of Michigan.

The performance is made possible in part by a grant from the Erb Family Foundation and the donation of space by Bishop Edgar L. Vann II of Second Ebenezer Church.  With a capacity of 3,000 seats, Second Ebenezer Church is located at 14601 Dequindre, at I-75 and McNichols, in Detroit.  

SOURCE Detroit International Jazz Festival