VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

Classical Music in the Jazz Age
Vibrant music from the crossroads — South and North, African and American, church and street — characterizes the era between 1914 and 1930.

Jearlyn Steele, soprano; Michael Forest, tenor; Paul Shaw, piano; VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus with orchestra; Philip Brunelle, conductor.

“The works on this excellent recording [by VocalEssence] capture the spirit of the age, and the outstanding performances capture the spirit of the music. From the absolute stunning beauty of the pieces by Florence Price to the greatness of both Rhapsodies, they are all winners.” -- Joseph Jennings, Music Director, Chanticleer

1. Saint Louis Blues William C. Handy, arr. Hall Johnson (1914/1936); Jearlyn Steele, VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
2. O Southland Harry T. Burleigh (1919)
3. Song for Snow Florence B. Price (1930)
4. Moon Bridge Florence B. Price (1930)
5. Listen to the Lambs R. Nathaniel Dett (1914)
6. Ethiopia’s Paean to Exaltation Harry T. Burleigh (1921)
7. Poor Mourner’s Got a-Home at Last arr. Carl Diton (1914)
8. Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody James P. Johnson, orchestrated by William Grant Still (1927); Paul Shaw, piano, with orchestra
9. The Chariot Jubilee R. Nathaniel Dett (1919); Michael Forest, tenor, VocalEssence Chorus with orchestra
10. Charlestonia: Folk Rhapsody for Orchestra, No. 1 Edmund Thornton Jenkins (1917)
11. Ave Maria R. Nathaniel Dett (1930); Ryan French, baritone, VocalEssence Ensemble Singers