In the early 1940s, a small Brownstown apartment in Harlem served as a salon for artists like Dizzie Gillespie, Billie Holliday and Thelonious Monk. Soon to be household names of jazz, these young artists made a nightly pilgrimage to the living room of pianist Mary Lou Williams. Led by Mary Lou, a new generation of jazz musicians would explore a radical new sound and form what we now know as bebop.   

Join New World Symphony for an official Soul Basel event dedicated to the life, music and legacy of Mary Lou Williams. Through live performance, cutting edge technology and an interactive presentation, join arts and culture VIPs in being the first to preview New World Symphony’s upcoming festival I Dream a World: Mary Lou’s Harlem.  

Begin the evening in the concert hall of the Historic Lyric Theater for live music and conversation with New World Symphony and Dr. Tammy Kernodle. End your evening outside with a New World Symphony Mobile WALLCAST® Concert and refreshments under the stars. The outdoor portion of this event will feature spoken word from poets Arsimmer McCoy and Darius Daughtry and art curated by Christopher Norwood, co-founder of Hampton Art Lovers.

This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP by November 30.  

This event is presented in collaboration with The Black Archives. NWS's Mobile WALLCAST® Concert Series is made possible with the support of the Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Wege Foundation and the NWS Resilience Fund. 

The NWS Mobile WALLCAST® is a community-driven program that brings the best of New World Symphony to audiences across South Florida. During the 2023-24 season, NWS will present Mobile WALLCAST® Concerts in collaboration with communities throughout Miami-Dade. If you’d like to bring New World Symphony Fellows and innovative Mobile WALLCAST® technology to your community, organization or home, email eduardo.delgado@nws.edu.

Program

Live Performance by NWS Fellows
Duke Ellington: Rockin’ in Rhythm

Welcome by Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle

Live Performance by NWS Fellows
Mezz Mezzrow: Really the Blues

Introduction to Mary Lou Williams by Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle

Live Performance by NWS Fellows
Mary Lou Williams: “What’s Your Story, Morning Glory?”

***** Event continues outside the Historic Lyric Theater *****

New World Symphony Mobile WALLCAST® Concert
James Price Johnson: Harlem Symphony, I. Subway Journey
William Eddins, conductor

Welcome by Leigh-Ann Buchanan

New World Symphony Mobile WALLCAST® Concert
James Price Johnson: Harlem Symphony, II. The Nightclub
William Eddins, conductor

Original poetry reading by Arsimmer McCoy

Live Performance by New World Symphony Fellows
Edward “Kid” Ory: Savoy Blues

New World Symphony Mobile WALLCAST® Concert
James Price Johnson: Victory Stride
William Eddins, conductor

Original poetry reading by Darius Daughtry

Discussion of “The Lady Who Swings the Band” with Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle

New World Symphony Mobile WALLCAST® Concerts feature pre-recorded concert footage captured at the New World Center.

NWS Fellows performing tonight:
Maalik Glover, Gabrielle Monachino, violin
Joshua Thaver, viola; Samantha Powell, cello
India Hooi, voice; Jennifer Marasti, percussion
John Shank, bass