COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- Composer, drummer, activist, and educator Dr. Mark Lomax, II has created Four Women, a
multidimensional new work featuring a score composed by Lomax and
performances by members of UCelli: The Columbus Cello Quartet. Four
Women is presented as an hour-long documentary, available to stream
at https://marklomaxii.com/four-women-film beginning on
February 1. The project was
commissioned by the Johnstone Fund for New Music for the benefit
of, and to honor, Urban Strings Columbus, a nonprofit performing
youth string orchestra founded by Catherine
Willis in 2007 to recruit and support underserved minority
youth in Central Ohio.
This dynamic musical experience offers a graphical portrait of
each woman depicting her strength, leadership, faith, and
selflessness. Each segment is narrated by Lomax and features
original artwork and commentary by artist Richard Duarte Brown, who created paintings of
each woman that help connect her identity with her story.
Four Women is a four-movement work performed by four female
virtuoso cellists in honor of four women who made significant
contributions to our world:
Queen Nzinga (1583-1633) of the
Mbundu people (present-day Angola)
successfully led her people in a 30-year war against Portuguese
colonization by showcasing her military prowess and high-stakes
diplomacy.
Ida B. Wells Barnett (1862-1931)
overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to become a force for
justice by leading the anti-lynching movement and the fight for
women's rights.
Angela Davis (1944- ) came to
prominence during the civil rights movement as a symbol of Black
Power. She is a scholar, activist, author, and lecturer who has
fought tirelessly for human rights around the world.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977- ) asserts that we spend too much
time teaching children gender-specific behaviors and attitudes. The
Nigerian-born author, lecturer, and self-proclaimed feminist
advocates non-gender-specific humane, innate abilities that enable
people to enrich their communities.
"These women represent a greater story of the contributions
Black women have made to societies across the world throughout
history," said Lomax. "I chose four that exemplify womanism in a
way that was unapologetic, and frankly, bad-ass. They made their
mark on the world because they refused to be anything other than
who they are. Their stories need to be told, and this composition
celebrates examples of the power that derives from the most
authentic expression of Humanity."
Lomax, along with Zoe and Jack
Johnstone from the Johnstone Fund for New Music, hope to
make Four Women accessible to students of all ages and to anyone
who wishes to experience this unique interpretation of history,
music, and art.
Four Women was born from Lomax's historic work, 400: Afrikan
Epic, a 12-album cycle with more than eight hours of music
exploring thousands of years of Black history, including
pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma'afa (the 400 years between 1619 and
2019), and Afro-futurism (an expression of what Blacks in America
will heal toward in the next 400 years). Its title and structure
were inspired by Nina Simone's
composition Four Women (1966).
"The music tells a powerful story, but to connect with a broader
audience, we needed to present a tangible representation to drive
home the narrative," Dr. Lomax added. "In spite of the years of
being marginalized and abused, here are examples of four women from
Afrika who not only prevailed but changed things. We selected four,
but there are countless numbers of women just like them who fight
every day and don't get the same praise. The simple truth is, we
would not be here without them and without the activism,
engagement, love, nurturing, and the strength of Black women."
About Dr. Mark Lomax, II
(marklomaxii.com)
Critically acclaimed composer, recording artist, drummer, activist,
and educator Dr. Mark Lomax, II,
earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor of Music Arts degrees
from The Ohio State University. He's
also received numerous accolades for his work as a composer and
performer, including the coveted Wexner Center for the Arts Artist
Residency Award in 2018. Using music and engaging conversation as a
vehicle, Lomax inspires audiences to think critically about
realizing the potential of our collective humanity to change the
world.
About UCelli: The Columbus Cello Quartet (ucelli.net)
Featuring Pei-An Chao, Mary Davis,
Cora Kuyvenhoven, and Wendy Morton, UCelli is a quartet of virtuoso
cellists whose individual artistry and combined chemistry result in
a unique, vibrant concert experience. The collaborations between
these four cellists, who are also members of the Columbus Symphony
and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, allow for exciting explorations of
new and unconventional intersections between music and life.
About The Johnstone Fund for New Music
The Johnstone Fund for New Music was founded by Columbus community leaders Jack and Zoe Johnstone in 2008. It supports the
continuing growth and vitality of contemporary classical music by
funding the creation and performance of new works for a growing
audience in Central Ohio.
Media Contact
Chris Herbert, Mark Lomax II, 6144488703,
cherbert@pendulumstrategygroup.com
Alex Fox, Johnstone Fund,
6144488703, alex@foxwerxgroup.com
SOURCE Four Women