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More Sounds Of Liberation
May 25, 2019
Sun Ra Arkestra / Sounds of Liberation
Thursday, June 13, 2019 At 8:00pm
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
For More Info & Tickets: CLICK HERE
Sounds Of Liberation was a band – and a social movement – formed in of the Germantown & Mt Airy neighborhoods of Philadelphia in 1970. The group consisted of seven members: Khan Jamal (vibraphone), Byard Lancaster (alto saxophone), Billy Mills (bass), Dwight James (drums), Monnette Sudler (guitar), Omar Hill (percussion), William Brister (percussionist, aka Rashid Salim). Originally conceived and formed by Khan Jamal, the arrival of Byard Lancaster in 1971 helped shift their focus and efforts into a higher gear. Jamal and Lancaster would work together in different configurations throughout the decade.
Sounds of Liberation were at the forefront of avant-garde Black expression in the early 1970s, putting action behind their creative endeavors. They were as much of a community force as a band, and because of that there was a strong desire by the entire group to work with a range of different populations, from school children to inmates. They continued to do so throughout the mid-1970s. The group issued one self-released album, New Horizons – alternately titled, The Sounds Of Liberation in later pressings – in 1972, on their Dogtown Record label. [It was reissued by Porter Records in 2010 to a great deal of fanfare amongst jazz fans.]
In addition to club performances, the collective initiated happenings in elementary schools, prisons & community centers throughout Philadelphia, to great success and impact in the city’s African-American and jazz community. In 1973, the band recorded a session at Columbia University in new York City. The resulting five-song session of original music (with compositions penned by Jamal, Lancaster and Sudler) has never been released and has been prepared for this important and long-overdue LP package by group members, in collaboration with Peter “Max” Ochester of Philly’s Brewerytown Beats Records. This is deeply emotional and soulful jazz – termed Black Liberation Music by band members – created with passion and purpose by masters of the artform, and it sounds as powerful today as it did back upon its original commitment to tape.
The LP package being offered for national and international distribution includes a b/w cover by original group artist Leroy Butler. A limited-edition (300 copies) LP will include a paste-on cover and double-sided insert, with artwork, photos, flyers – some never seen before. The limited edition LP is available only at Brewerytown Beats Records in Philadelphia (2710 West Girard Avenue, www.brewerytownbeats.com or online at www.dogtownrecords.com
Celebrating this release and their reunion, the remaining members of Sounds of Liberation are performing in an Ars Nova Workshop produced concert, sharing the bill with the Sun Ra Arkestra at Union Transfer in Philadelphia on Thursday, June 13, 2019 At 8:00pm.
We spoke with guitarist/bassist, composer, bandleader and Sounds Of Liberation alum, Monnette Sudler about the the group and the upcoming concert.
PJP: Why was Sounds Of Liberation so important?
Monnette Sudler: Sounds Of Liberation was important to us as players developing our styles and growing our repertoire and then to the community as well. We often performed for community events. We all lived within a block or two of each other on and off of Chew Avenue in Germantown.
PJP: What can contemporary artists learn from the spirit of artists of the 1970s?
Monnette Sudler: One thing young musicians can learn and understand is that what you do in your youth matters. Do not under estimate your work. We practiced hard, used our opportunities to the best of our abilities at that time. Almost fifty years later new generations want to experience our music.
PJP: Who will be performing at the upcoming Sounds Of Liberation reunion performance?
Monnette Sudler: Performing will be Dwight James - drums, Omar Hill & Lamont Smith - congas, myself, Monnette Sudler - guitar & music director, Elliott Levin - sax & flute, Charles Beasley - bass, Bill Mills - keyboard and a young and fabulous vibraphonist; Juan Diego coming in from NYC. The great Khan Jamal will be in attendance as well.
Sun Ra Arkestra / Sounds of Liberation
Thursday, June 13, 2019 At 8:00pm
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
For More Info & Tickets: CLICK HERE
Some Videos Featuring Sounds Of Liberation Members
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Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by the Philadelphia Foundation.
