now
Makanda Project
Makanda Archive
links
acknowledgments
contact
Makanda Project
Makanda Archive
links
acknowledgments
contact
The Makanda Project,
an ensemble based in Makanda Ken McIntyre's hometown of Boston, is dedicated to continuing Makanda's legacy through the performance of his music - specifically, by playing compositions which Makanda never had the opportunity to record or perform in public. An enormous body of such work exists, reflecting the full range of Makanda's imagination as a composer. The group hopes that as some of it is heard there will be heightened appreciation for Makanda's significance as a musician.The band consists of up to 12 musicians - 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, piano, bass, and drums. They have been rehearsing and performing since early 2005 with the same personnel, a mixture of veteran and younger musicians. The leader, pianist John Kordalewski, studied with Makanda and also performed with him on several occasions. Working from the lead sheets in Makanda's notebooks, he has written arrangements for the 9 horns. Renowned saxophonist Oliver Lake joins the group on certain occasions, including their first recording.
Also in keeping with Makanda's legacy, most of the members of the Makanda Project are educators as well as musicians, and the group has presented a variety of educational programs along with its performances.
Back row, left to right: Josiah Woodson, Sean Berry, Bill Lowe, Kurtis Rivers;
Front row left to right: Yoron Israel, Charlie Kohlhase, Salim Washington,
John Lockwood, John Kordalewski; Not pictured: Brent Irvine, Robert Stringer
Recent Concerts
9/22/07 - Roxbury Heritage State Park, Roxbury, MA8/18/07 - Roxbury Heritage State Park
8/7/07 - Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park, Franklin Park, Boston, MA
8/4/07 - Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, Oak Bluffs, MA (presented by Martha's Vineyard NAACP)
7/28/07 - First Church in Roxbury, Roxbury, MA
6/30/07 - Roxbury Community College, Roxbury, MA
4/19/07 - Newton South High School, Newton, MA (presented by Highland Jazz Society)
3/3/07 - Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA
10/7/06 - Unity Center for the Performing Arts, Unity, ME
8/20/06 - Roxbury Heritage State Park
4/27/06 - Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA
4/3/06 - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
3/4/06 - Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
(presented by Boston Creative Music Alliance)
12/6/05 - First Church in Roxbury, Roxbury, MA
11/12/05 - Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, MA
7/14/05 - New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
