I have collected vinyl record albums for more than a decade, and have acquired more than 1700 albums and at least 1400 45rpm singles. I also deejay, which naturally transitioned into sound curation for art events and music-based sound design for performances. Some highlights are below:
2007 Sound Designer, “Aunt Nancy’s Safari Stories”
Corn Productions, Spring 2007 at The Conservatory, Chicago.
Playwright: Michelle Thompson-Hay, Director: Sarah Ballema
“Corn Production’s favorite storyteller returns with her favorite niece and nephew as they travel to Africa, the origin of Aunt Nancy’s (or Anansi’s) tales.”
Commissioned by the Director, the soundtrack consisted mainly of Modern Jazz with African Influences.
Included:
“Rosalie” by Yusef Lateef from the album “The Complete Yusef Lateef” (Atlantic Records, 1968)
“II BS” by Charles Mingus, from the album “Mingus, Mingus, Mingus” (Impulse Records, 1963)
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2008 Sound Curator, Opening of Art Installment “Public Address” (installment curated by Ellen Rothenberg), at Phaiz (an art and fashion boutique) in Chicago. Public Address offered hand made prints, pinbacks, picket signs, and buttons: many of which refered to protests of eras bygone, all for sale. (October 17th, 2008)
The sound for the opening was Music of Protest, specifically local soul music from bygone eras.
Included:
“Keep on Pushing” by The Impressions, from the album “Keep on Pushing” (ABC-Paramount Records, 1964)
“Give More Power to the People” by The Chi-Lites (Brunswick Records. 1971)
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2008 Music Curating and Audio Production, The Museum of Contemporary Art Exhibit “Theaster Gates: Temple Exercises” (an Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago)
January 6 – February 1 , 2009
“Exploring the relationships among art, politics, and race, Theaster Gates constructs a temple-like structure that merges aspects of African American and Japanese traditions.”
Commissioned by the Artist, music included Gospel Wails, Muslim Prayers, Traditional Chinese Folk Songs, and Acid Jazz.
Included:
“Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord” by Pharoah Sanders, from the album “Deaf, Dumb, Blind: Sunmmun, Bukmun, Umyun” (Impulse Records, 1970)
“Come Sunday (Humming only)” by Duke Ellington with Mahalia Jackson from the album “Black, Brown, & Beige” (Columbia Records, 1947)
“Ode by Ahmad al-’Alawi” from the album “Islamic Liturgy: Koran – Call to Prayer, Odes, Litany” (Smithsonian Folkways, 1960)
