Black Art Song: A Night To Remember
Baritone Kenneth Overton and Sound Liberator Joe Williams perform to a transfixed audience at the Portland Art Museum. (R. Hadiashar 2024)
This past weekend, Resonance presented Black Art Song at the Portland Art Museum.
With music curated by Resonance Ensemble’s Damien Geter, the performance was a wealth of artistic excellence—from the dynamic and vibrant works on display in the Black Artists of Oregon exhibit (curated by Intisar Abioto), the riveting performances from Grammy-award winning baritone Kenneth Overton and Sound Liberator Joe Williams at the piano, and reflections by curator Damien Geter and Resonance board member and commissioned-poet A. Mimi Sei.
As we reflect on this powerful evening, we encourage you to explore our Enhance Your Experience page, which includes detailed information on the performers, composers, writers, artists, and the driving mission which supported the program.
Damien Geter welcomes all to the Portland Art Museum. (R. Hadiashar 2024)
“Tonight we celebrate the profound legacy of Black composers and poets who have made significant contributions to the art song canon,” said Co-Artistic Advisor and curator of the concert Damien Geter, who welcomed the packed room and then quickly introduced the performers, Baritone Kenneth Overton and Sound Liberator Joe Williams.
Sound Liberator Joe Williams and Baritone Kenneth Overton (R. Hadiashar, 2024)
The concert opened with a powerful a cappella rendition of the spiritual “Over My Head.” Starting from the back of the gallery and slowly processing through the audience towards the stage, Overton’s deeply emotive and enveloping baritone voice immediately captured the attention of the audience.
Kenneth Overton (R. Hadiashar 2024)
Overton shared his personal connections to the pieces that were performed. Before a powerhouse performance of works by H. Leslie Adams, he shared, “Adams is one of my all-time favorite composers. At age 90, he is still putting black notes on white paper, and it is an honor to be sharing his music with you all.”
With texts by Langston Hughes, Morgan Collins, and James Weldon Johnson, these four dynamic selections from the Nightsongs collection proved to be an audience favorite.
Board Member A. Mimi Sei opens the second half of the concert with inspiring words. (R. Hadiashar 2024)
After intermission, Resonance Ensemble board member and commissioned-poet, A. Mimi Sei, announced the official launch of the Donors for Black Artistry initiative. Seeking to offer support for Black artists across a wide variety of artistic disciplines, Black Art Song is the inaugural concert supported by the program. “We can’t just be good listeners,” stated Sei. “We have to move—move our minds, our bodies—towards action that inspires change. Resonance does that with programs like this.”
Starting the second half, Sound Liberator Joe Williams performed his own arrangement of Florence Price’s Night at the piano. A gorgeous and evocative rendition of the work, Williams’ sparkling instrumental was received with thunderous applause from the gallery.
Overton and Williams concluded the concert with two powerful settings of spirituals, impressively arranged by David Ragland (Steal Away) and Timothy Amulkeke (Stand the Storm).
Sound Liberator Joe Williams. (Photo: R. Hadiashar 2024)
The duo dancing during the first half finale: H. Leslie Adams “Creole Girl” (R. Hadiashar 2024)
With guests staying long after the show to discuss both artwork and music, Black Art Song proved to not only be a powerful program of music, but a deeply moving evening of community and celebration of Black artistry.
““Thank you so much for the amazing concert last night. Surrounded by art and Kenneth Overton’s powerful voice was a very special experience. Not every singer can mesmerize an audience in the way he can.””
S. Renee Mitchell, Chisao Hata, and Ronni Lacroute are all smiles from the front row. (R. Hadiashar 2024)
Resonance Ensemble is deeply grateful to the Portland Art Museum for their support and for the incredible curation of the Black Artists of Oregon gallery (curator Intisar Abioto) which inspired the program, along with artists Kenneth Overton and Joe Williams, concert curator Damien Geter, our sponsors and generous donors who made the program possible, and—of course—all those who joined us for this incredible program as audience members.
A happy group of Resonance staff, board members, composers, and supporters surround Kenneth Overton after the concert. (R. Hadiashar, 2024)
UP NEXT
Check out the performances yet to come this spring — we hope to see you there!
AMENDMENT: RIGHTING OUR WRONGS
SUNDAY, MARCH 17 | 2pm | Alberta Rose Theatre
UNDER THE SKIN | SPECIAL SCREENING!
+ a special musical presentation before the show
MONDAY, MARCH 25 | 7pm | Hollywood Theatre
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
FRIDAY, APRIL 5 | 7:30pm | Patricia Reser Center
SATURDAY, APRIL 6 | 7:30pm | The Armory
MISSION 15 | A FIFTEEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
SATURDAY, JUNE 8 | 7:30pm | Winningstad Theatre