Pittsburgh New Music Net

James Laughlin Music Hall

Chatham University will celebrate the Global Focus Year of West Africa at the Sounds of Africa Music Festival, Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3. Pauline Rovkah, professor of music and the festival director, has assembled Pittsburgh’s finest music scholars and musicians for an incredible weekend of free events in the James Laughlin Music Hall. For more information contact Pauline Rovkah at 412-365-1676 or rovkah@chatham.edu.

Friday, October 2, 4:00 p.m.

“Jazz Imaginings of Africa: Aesthetics, Memory, and the African Cultural Continuum”

This talk will include discussion and performance of select jazz composers’ works, which demonstrate the creative connections between traditional African music and modern jazz.

Dr. Kenan Foley, professor of music

Dr. Anicet Mundundu, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), is an expert in traditional and contemporary music from the central African region

Immediately following: Trio performance featuring Dr. Mundundu

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Saturday, October 3, 2:00-4:30 p.m.

“Composition in Africa: Transmission and Reception” (Panel discussion, 2:00-3:00)

Moderator: Dr. Margit Hawelleck

Dr. Akin Euba, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Music, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Kenan Foley

Mr Charles Lwanga

Dr. Eric Moe, composer and pianist, professor of music, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Anicet Mundundu

Mr. Ayo Oluranti

Chamber Music Concert

Works by African composers: Kwabena Nketia, Akin Euba, Vindu Bangambula, Joshua Uzoigwe, Ayodamope Oluranti.

Performers: Kelly Lynch, Eric Moe, Roger Zahab, Robert Frankenberry, Oye

Dosunmu, Ayodamope Oluranti, Richard Page*, Pauline Rovkah, Alia Musica Sextet

*Principal Bass Clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra