New Anthems for a New America: radical sound, radical vision, radical peace.
This work in progress narrative piece is a reflection of Roberts’ continued interest in social justice through sound. A mix of improvisation, written composition, video and text, it places into context one artist’s ode to the country she loves, the country she hates, the country she feels privileged to live in still…
Matana Roberts, alto sax + composition, video projection
Kevin Tkacz, bass
Liberty Ellman, guitar
Ches Smith, drums
Chicago-born. Matana (m(a)-ta-Nah) Roberts, a musician, main instrument: alto saxophone; works in many performance/sound mediums including improvisation, dance, poetry, and theater. She aims to expose the mystical roots and the intuitive spirit raising traditions of American creative expression in her music. Her innovative work has forged new conceptual approaches to considering narrativity, history, and political expression within improvisatory structures. past member of the BRC: Black Rock Coalition and the AACM: Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. holds two degrees in music performance. based in New York City.
The performance of Matana Robert’s ANTHEM, presented by Roulette Intermedium, Inc. in collaboration with Outpost Productions, Inc. and Angel City Arts, is supported by Presenter Consortium for Jazz, a program of Chamber Music America, funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.