Even though his current tour is deeply rooted in history, coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 90th birthday and marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of a day honoring Dr. King, Damien Sneed insists it is all about right now.
“The message is all the more necessary in this society with everything that is going on these days,” Sneed says. “All the killings, and all I have to do is put on a hoodie and I’m viewed as uneducated in certain areas. His [Dr. King’s] universal message of peace, love, harmony and justice couldn’t be more relevant today.”
Sneed is an award-winning singer, pianist, organist, conductor, composer, producer, arranger, vocal coach and arts educator – is that all? – whose work spans the classical, jazz, gospel, opera, musical theater and R&B idioms. And his quartet, along with eight vocalists and a four-member classical ensemble, are deep into a 36-city tour which began Jan. 11 in Albany, New York, and will conclude on March 3 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto.
“My fortunate experiences in so many genres have helped me to select repertoire for this show with a seamless connection and flow,” Sneed says. “It’s a joyous musical journey.”
And a sojourn it is – a veritable parade across African-American musical traditions involving treasured spirituals, civil rights anthems and R&B and jazz classics, all interwoven with spoken word excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches.
The result is exciting, captivating and, one dares to say, educational as well, in that it puts music into several contexts.
“American musical artists have used their platforms to proclaim songs of protest and reconciliation in responses to issues in our homes, schools, government, nation and the world abroad for decades,” Sneed says. “My desire with this musical offering is to follow in the footsteps of great artists like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and others who melodically gave a voice to those who otherwise wouldn’t have had a voice.”
The show not only represents the life and legacy of Dr. King, it also stands as a testimony to the sheer inspirational power of song.
“I look forward to honoring the life and legacy of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in this tour,” Sneed says. “We also honor the many other great artists and public figures who raised their voices to let the world know that one day we will truly overcome. Deep in my heart I believe that as well – we all will overcome.”
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