S e c o n d W a v e C e n t r e f o r Yo u t h A r t s p r e s e n t s Harmony in Harlem A N E W P I E C E O F M U S I C A L T H E AT R E PROGRAMME Evening performances Thursday–Saturday 8–10 August 2002, 7.30pm Matinee Saturday 10 August, 2pm George Wood Theatre Goldsmiths College University of London SECOND WAVE CENTRE FOR YOUTH ARTS 1 Creek Road, Deptford, London SE8 3BT 020 8694 2444 Funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Regional Arts Lottery Programme Second Wave is a registered charity No. 1023836 ✦ Art Tatum ✦ pianist ✦ Alain Locke ✦ leader of The Harlem Renaissance ✦ Arna writer ✦ Benny Moten ✦ bassist ✦ Bessie Smith ✦ TheBontemps people✦who bluesinspired singer ✦ BillHarmony ‘Bojangles’ Robinson ✦ tap dancer ✦ freedom fighter ✦ Billy ✦ blues singer ✦ Cab Calloway ✦ singer ✦ entertainer ✦ Carter inHoliday Harlem... Ethel Waters Woodson ✦ teacher ✦ writer ✦ founder of Black History Month ✦ Charles MADAME STEPHANIE ST CLAIR “ One of the key observers of the ELLSWORTH ‘BUMPY’ JOHNSON ETHEL WATERS singer and Harlem Renaissance. A lot of our One the top ‘numbers’ bankers ✦ actress (Beulah) Highly (Red) The GodfatherTyson of Harlem. Johnson ✦ editor ✦ author ✦ educator ✦ Cicely ✦ ofHarlem actor impression of the life and culture in Harlem. Stood up to Dutch successful singer, actress and Began his criminal career breaking of that comes from his Schultz, a bootlegger and assassin ✦ recording McKay artist who started out homes.writer Worked as bodyguard Claude ✦onpoet ✦eranovelist ✦writing short into story ✦ Coleman Hawkins and forms our view of the period.” who tried to steal the numbers the vaudeville circuit. She made to Madame St Clair and helped Dan Smith, Associate Artist on ✦ band saxophonist ✦ inCount Basie ✦ pianist leader ✦herCountee ✦ poet ✦ racketCullen from the Harlem her recording debut 1921 but maintain control over booming Langston Hughes switched over to African American numbers empire. Still remembered underworld.. In 1935 as Dutch Fannie Harmer ✦ civil rights activist ✦ Ida B Wells ✦ incrusader Schultz lay dying a hospital, she ✦ owned BlackLou Swan label. By the IDA COX blues artist (Sophia) as a kind of Robin Hood by sent a telegram to his bedside: ‘As end of the 1930s she was a big star Ida Cox symbolised the liberated Harlemites for his fight for the journalist ✦and advocate forspiritracial justice & women’s suffrage ✦ Fats Waller ye sow, so shall ye reap.’ ✦ jazz on Broadway Hollywood. neighbourhood. of some black American ● ● blueswomen in the 20s with her “These took risks, seizing ✦artists organist ✦ composer Fletcher Henderson ✦thepianist ✦ arranger ✦ band pianist “Everything is driven by stylish outlook, lavish wardrobe, every opportunity. They set a “If we were to offer a symbol of blues. A lot of emotion and a lot standard for music and their Manning and business savvy. wrote her ✦ Frankie ✦ Cox lindy hop ✦the innovator ✦what choreographer leader ofdancer stories. I found root to the Harlem has come to ✦ rebellious spirit woke people up, own songs, produced stage shows music, and it’s even deeper than mean in the short span of inspiring change and hope.” and managed her own touring ✦ writer Frederick Douglass ✦ abolitionist orator the blues...It ✦ has been a major ✦ George “Shorty” Shingai Shionowa, Associate Artist twenty years it would be company, Raisin’ Cain. inspiration.” another of liberty on the Snowden ✦ lindy hop dancer ✦ George Washington Carver ✦statue black educator Abdul Shyllon, Associate Artist RICHARD WRIGHT poet writer “Researching the story gave me a landward side of New York” (Chester) “I was born too far deeper insight into the music, its ZORA NEALE HURSTON writer ✦ agricultural ✦ Gwendolyn Bennet ✦ writer and artist ✦ James back in the woods toresearcher hear the background and history. R’nB folklorist (Sissi) Daughter of a train whistle...” Richard Wright wouldn’t exist without these people and✦ seamVanlearned Der Zeein a✦worldphotographer ✦ power... Jean preacher-carpenter Toomer writer and philosopher ✦ how to survive ...their magic and staying stress. Hurston’s writings were an of white hostility, secretly satisfying they wanted all the world had to important source ofRedmon black myth his cravingBaldwin for books and knowledge James ✦ author ✦ Jessie Fauset ✦ novelist give them, ✦ all itplaywright had to offer.” and legend. The bawdiness of her until the time came when he could Dionne Mitchell, Associate Artist Bootleg Alcohol made in an illegal talesplayer helped to remind the Black his dreameditor of justice and ✦ King Oliver ✦ cornet ✦ Leroy ‘Stretch’ Jones ✦ and follow literary still. NORMA MILLER dancer opportunity in the north. His most The Depression In 1929 the New intelligentsia of the richness in Market crashed, choreographer comedienne TV Native son, their cultural heritage. lindysuccessful hop work, dancer ✦sold innovator ✦ choreographer ✦ Lester YoungYork ✦Stock saxophonist ✦ signalling the beginning of The / film actress author (Didi) 250,000 hardback copies in six Great Depression, a period of EUBIE BLAKE & NOBEL SISSLE when she was 14, Lil weeks. Hardin ✦ pianist Discovered ✦ composer ✦justarranger ✦ ‘Ma’ Rainey ✦ blues singer ✦ unemployment, poverty and Norma Miller was “the hottest musicians songwriters (Riff & hardship. LANGSTON HUGHES poet dancer as a kid.. the most exciting Tyler) Eubie Blake played the A suburb of Manhattan in ‘mother of the blues’ ✦ Mary McLeod Bethune ✦ politician ✦ Harlem Marcus Garvey playwright novelist journalist thing you ever saw and that’s the organ at six years old and got his New York City. (Samuel) His poetry was Harlem FromPaul the first job✦ playing in a brothel at 15. ✦ black nationalist ✦ civiltruth” rights activist ✦ writer Nella Larson ✦ Renaissance writer ✦ bittersweet and based on the . Today, French word meaning rebirth. Noble Sissle joined a male quartet Norma Miller is in her 80s and still Coined by writer Alain Locke to rhythms of jazz and blues. He onRalph the vaudeville circuit at 17. They ✦ scholar Robeson ✦ athlete ✦ entertainer ✦ activist ✦ Bunce statesman describe a new✦ wave of creativity teaches lindy hop to young people worked as a delivery man, a launched a famous songwriting among black artists living all over the world. messmate on ships to Africa and primarily in Harlem. which changed ✦ Ralph Ellison ✦ writer ✦ Robert partnership Johnson ✦ the guitar player ✦ singer ✦ Europe, a busboy, and a Lindy Hop A craze that started in course of Black American musical dishwasher.✦ Romare Howard Beardon ✦ visual artist ✦ Roy Harlem’s black in the composer decommunity Carava theatre. 1920s and has its roots in African and in dances of the ✦ photographer “Go ✦ Sydney ✦ clarinetist ✦ Thomas Wright with meBechet to the darkness where I go. rhythms time like the Charleston‘Fats’ and Black Bottom. Lindy became synonymous✦ worldwide the Waller ✦ vocalist ✦Night piano ✦coming celeste ✦tenderly organ ✦ Thurgood Marshall civilwithrights Big Band sounds of the Savoy Across Harlem Ballroom firstthe black justicerooftops.” ✦ Twistmouth George aka advocate ✦ American’s Playing the Numbers An illegal lottery which made the bankers ‘Susquehanna’ ✦ lindy hop dancer ✦ W E “Groups B Dubois ✦ author ✦ rich. In any ✦ giveneducator week during of children the 1920s, nearly $5 million Lindy Tatum dollars in pennies and nickels historian ✦ sociologist ✦LOUIS writer ✦ civil rights persistently activistpractise ✦ ✦the Art ✦ pianist ✦ ARMSTRONG aka ‘Satchmo’ moved through the streets and Hop all over Harlem… With its back alleyways of Harlem. musicianHarlem “Louis was theRenaissance big Alain Locke ✦ leader bang ofjazzThe Arna ✦ writer pattern children✦ make fantasy Bontemps Prohibition In 1919, the USA in music…the explosion that passed a law making the sale of on the pavement. When a new started everything …He affected ✦ Benny Moten ✦ bassist ✦ Bessie Smith ✦ blues singer ✦ Bill ‘Bojangles’ liquor, beer and wine illegal piece is put in the nickelodeon all singing, all dancing, all throughout the country. Repealed And changed the in 1933. singer ✦ Cab a bar and itHoliday lilts to the Lindy ✦ blues Robinson ✦ tap dancerorchestration. ✦ freedom fighter ✦ofBilly Speakeasies Illegal bars that whole world of phrasing.” the kids come together on during Prohibition. The Calloway ✦ singer ✦ entertainer ✦ CarterHop, Woodson ✦ teacher opened ✦ writer ✦ founder the pavement to dance.” name comes from the need to whisper or ‘speak easy’ when ✦ thresholds. educator ✦ of Black History Month ✦ Charles Johnson ✦ editor ✦ author crossing their Cicely Tyson ✦ Harlem actor ✦ Claude McKay ✦ poet ✦ novelist ✦ short story ● ● ● ● Alain Locke, leader & chief interpreter of the Harlem Renaissance ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Joe Williams who played with Basie at the Savoy Ballroom Langston Hughes: Harlem Extracts ● Ruby Braff Harlem: Negro Metropolis, Claude McKay 1940 Mary McLeod Bethune ✦ politician ✦ Marcus Garvey ✦ black nationalist ✦ civil rights activist ✦ writer ✦ Nella Larson ✦ writer ✦ Paul Robeson ✦ athlete ✦ entertainer ✦ activist ✦ Ralph Bunce ✦ scholar ✦ statesman ✦ Ralph Ellison Harmony in Harlem Act I Performers Adrian Theophilus AJ Riley Allan Okello Angus Babb Antonio Campbell Augustina Aliyu Canice Smith Carina Taylor Cedainne Hart Chantelle Lynch Conrad Lashmann Corrine Boadi Dan Smith David Marshall David Riley Davina Morris Denah Griffiths Denise Dickenson Desiri Okobia Dionne Mitchell Dominique Howe Elisabeth Anibi Emma Kebbay Eunice Ansah Faye Houston Chuk Onwere Gabriel Eniwumide Jade Burnett Jamie Lawrence Joanne Walters Junior Bonnick Sam / railway porter Chester Samuel Tyler / piano Lorenzo / clarinet & sax market woman / gambler / choir Loretta Carinne Yvette / competition dancer choir businessman / choir Mayflower Cozy / guitar Slim Red Didi / Violetta Thelma / Angel Lulu Camille choir Didi’s Mum Madame La Roux Bluebell Serafina Frenchie / gambler Buddy / Hagar / competition dancer Buster’s wife / fan / choir double bass Elouise Louis / preacher I t’s pleasure to be performing Harmony in Harlem at Goldsmiths’ theatre as part of the Arts and the Learning City Initiative. Harmony in Harlem has been created, over 12 months, with the extensive collaboration of Shingai Shoniwa and Dan Smith, and the creative contribution of Dionne Mitchell, Abdul Shyllon and Jennifer Minnell – young Associate Artists at Second Wave. During three residentials, we explored story line, characters, Kenan Ketema Savoy dancer Kelechi Onwere Clarence / telegraph Leemore Marrett Lenesha Riley Lola Eniralyetan Louis McKenzie Lucy Attoo Marsha Howe Mohammed Yusuf Naomi Esegbona Natasha Forde Nickesha Grant Olayinka Sobitan Pharoah Smeaton-Russell Richie Booker Rita Osei-Kusi Romeo Nsirim Rosa Michael Samantha Hall Sandra Johnson Samuel Shagourie Sandra Johnson Sara Abdalla Sarah Ajao Sel Beyane Shingai Shoniwa Shyvonne French Sophia Bryson Stacy Copeland Taneeka Dunn Tonica Howe Victoria Taiwo Wendie Cummins music and dance, created original music and songs, and developed the dance story and choreography. Many other young people were also involved in these residentials and in a series of subsequent music, drama and dance workshops. All have contributed to the shape, style and content of this original piece of musical theatre. This creative process began with the idea of exploring how African American artists shaped an era. ‘The Harlem Renaissance’ of the ’20s and ’30s is mainly associated with the delivery boy Riff Savoy dancer Rose / choir Mac / host at Savoy choir Bernice / Savoy dancer Francesco / Savoy dancer Savoy dancer Izzy Sophia doctor / fan / choir Hooti / drums Leroi / Savoy dancer chorus girl / choir hood / choir choir Butterfly Miss Elvira Hager / choir choir scared girl nurse / choir Savoy dancer Beulah Sissi / choir Savoy dancer Savoy dancer Savoy dancer Lucille Savoy dancer Eta Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 Scene 10 Scene 11 Scene 12 Scene 13 Scene 14 Scene 15 Scene 16 Shuggie’s Dead Night Characters Kids’ Dice Game Beulah gets Wire Shuggie’s Didi’s World Harmony in Harlem Riff Songwriter Chester Gets News Camille’s Audition Train Journey Home Red Has Plans We’re Broke Auditions at Shuggie’s Riff’s New Song Chester Returns Harlem Nocturne Act II Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 Scene 10 Scene 11 Scene 12 Scene 13A Scene 13B Scene 14 Scene 15 Scene 16 visual arts and literature by Black artists, novelists and poets. Harmony in Harlem celebrates this and the work of the great blues and jazz artists of the period. In devising this work of musical theatre, we were inspired by the lives of these artists and their stories are at the heart of the play. We were impressed by the depth of knowledge and dedication they demonstrated in realising jazz as a new musical art form. We were also struck by these artists’ humour, Church Savoy Kids Revue Rehearsals Old Times Madame La Roux Didi’s Dress Missing Girl Lying to Mama Gambler’s Night Mac Beaten Up Sissi’s Blues Savoy Competition Living In Same Swamp Samuel’s Blues Partners Agree Riff’s Leaving New Review Opens resourcefulness and generosity of spirit in supporting younger artists. Set in 1932, Harmony in Harlem coincides with the end of Prohibition and early years of the 1930s Depression. At this moment, Harlem had already become the first modern creative city and jazz music was set to redefine popular American culture forever. Ann Considine Director of Second Wave Harmony in Harlem Characters & Story Shingai Shoniwa, Dan Smith, Abdul Shyllon, Dionne Mitchell, Jennifer Minnell, Caron Loudy, Sheryl Malcolm, Talmud Bah & Ann Considine Harmony in Harlem Script by Ann Considine Research Carrie Harvey Workshop Team Angela Ekaette, Melodi Boreland, Sheryl Malcolm, J.B.Rose, Ann Considine Musical Arrangements Dan Smith, Angus Babb Vocal Arrangements J.B.Rose, Shingai Shoniwa Instrumentals Dan Smith guitar/piano/ harmonica), Angus Babb piano/ trumpet, Jamie Lawrence bass, Antonio Campbell clarinet/sax, Pharoah Smeaton-Russell drums Choreography Caron Loudy, Sunanda Biswas Set Design Dana Pinto Stage Manager Anna Creed Costume Design Erofili Politopoulou, Tanya Van Oudtshoorn Lighting Design Hansjörg Schmidt Lighting Assistant Jon Matthews Sound Design Steve Rafter Ass’t Stage Managers Lisa Phillip, Lloyd Dias, Jennifer Minnell Event Coordination Carrie Harvey Volunteers Coordinator Dominique Oliver Box Office & Admin Dimple Vadher Office Manager Sade Oyebamji Learning Development Phil Turner Trainee Tutors Allan Okello, Davina Morris Production Support AJ Riley, Allan Okello, David Riley, Kealey Henderson, Leemore Marrett, Natalie Evans, Philip Morgan Photography Sarah Ainslie, Martin Burton Programme Design FiveToNine Design n innovative collaboration between two local centres of learning Second Wave and Goldsmiths College, University of London— part of an Arts and the Learning City initiative aimed at widening participation. This unique partnership aims to celebrate the potential of young artists—to value their achievements and recognise the real impact of the arts on the local community and beyond. young artists in a changing world offers young people an opportunity to explore the music, dance and culture of Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s and the relevance of blues and jazz to subsequent music in America and worldwide. It aims to broaden and deepen their understanding of this major phase of musical and cultural breakthrough. Young people are involved as creators of their own original material and encouraged to develop their own musical styles and to learn from earlier jazz and blues influences. Arts & the Learning city aims to build an inclusive arts and learning environment in London, for London, that genuinely encourages the highest levels of educational attainment for London’s diverse A Credits Front of House Support Bari Kpotura, Deana Newland, Elizabeth El-Schaeddhaei, Fiona Houston, Jenny Mensah, Judith Dove, Kofi Asante, Modupe Adeogun, Mohammed Yusuf, Naomi Marr, Noni James, Ricardo Small, Rosalyn Edwards, Rouell Dawkins, Sayeedah Supersad, Simon Kennedy, Simone Valentine, Stephanie Riley, Waddada Balfour Associate Artists Dan Smith, Jennifer Minnell, Abdul Shyllon, Shingai Shoniwa, Dionne Mitchell Original Songs & Music Old Times’ Sake Dan Smith, Shingai Shoniwa, Dionne Mitchell, Abdul Shyllon Overture Dan Smith Harmony in Harlem Talmud Bah & Second Wave Other Instrumentals Dan Smith, Angus Babb, Antonio Campbell, Jamie Lawrence Samuel’s Blues Ann Considine, Dan Smith Sugar Foot Strut Shingai Shoniwa, Dan Smith, JB Rose, Ann Considine Hush Shingai Shoniwa Other songs Fine and Mellow Billie Holliday Ain’t Nobody’s Business Bessie Smith Comes Love Lew Brown, Sam H Stept, Charles Tobias Swing it, Brother, Swing Raymond, Bishop & Williams Sing, Sing, Sing Benny Goodman Harlem Nocturne Words by Dick Rogers, music by Earle Hagen Elijah Rock Traditional A special thanks to Second Wave Trustees, Jeanette & Lawrie Lambrick, Jeremy Peyton Jones & staff at Goldsmiths College, Kingston University & Music City. communities. It aims through its collective creativity to ensure that the arts in all their diverse forms provide the fuel and energy to raise attainment, contribute to community regeneration, and provide creative engagement with London’s social, cultural and economic life. Goldsmiths College is a specialist college of the University of London with an international reputation for the study and practice of creative, cognitive, cultural and social processes. Goldsmiths sees education as a life-long learning process. Within Goldsmiths Pace (Professional & Community Education) offers an extensive programme of evening and part-time courses which can be the first step to a diploma or degree. Second Wave Centre for Youth Arts has for 20 years been delivering high quality, creative programmes involving young people aged 13– 24 who are underrepresented in higher education, the arts and cultural industries. Second Wave values creativity as a way of learning and fosters self expression and self understanding as a way of empowering young people. “This is an excellent initiative, greatly to be welcomed. The partnership between Goldsmiths and Second Wave develops the idea of a new kind of university.” Professor Ben Pimlott, Warden of Goldsmiths