Collaboration is Key
Dear Friends and Music Family!
It’s what I seem to love to do… so I looked it up!
Collaboration: the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal.
I’ve spent most of my life working in collaboration. It started in childhood, living with my grandmother, my single-parent mom, and my sister, living in a house that my mom “Midge” and her sister “Sweetsie” helped my Nana and Grandpop to buy. They were the first Black family on the block, in a house bought in a collaboration with a White realtor and the first Black female judge in PA, The Honorable Juanita Kidd Stout. Through those years, we didn’t always have what we needed, but we had love. With the help of our church and neighborhood, we got by.
That effort continued in my adult life as I discovered that music was my inspiration and my way to express all that I love and hope to represent. As part of the duo Kim and Reggie Harris and many satisfying collaborations including with Pete Seeger, Matt Jones, Scott Ainslie, Pat Wictor, Magpie and many others, we raised our voices to stamp out hate and lift up hope.
I have also come to love the joy and power of singing and performing as a solo act. Music speaks to hearts and minds in ways that transforms our lives and makes our planet more safe, more sane, healthy and just. But working in collaboration remains one of my great joys.
Most of you know of my collaboration with Greg Greenway, my friend of 30 years. Deeper Than the Skin is a story/concert/dialogue that takes on the subject of race. We’re at a new and exciting place and are happy to announce that we are recording a CD of the presentation that will be available later this year! This CD comes at a challenging time in our nation, and has allowed us to engage in critical conversations with audiences from Maine to Florida, Oklahoma to Virginia.
Born 3 days apart we have forged a friendship that merges our different beginnings, White and Black, North and South, a descendant of slaves and a descendant of slave owners, into a collaboration that invites people to recall their stories and hear the stories of others. This is the only way that we will heal the racial divide.
Deeper than the Skin is booked by Susan Lounsbury at Loyd Artists. More into on our collaboration att
https://deeperthantheskin.com
Malcolm X said, “We need more light about each other.” You can help us in our efforts to open hearts and create more light.
Deeper Than the Skin
This show is not just one of random talk.
This is not just a concert of songs that simply entertains.
“Deeper Than the Skin” is a experience of singing and listening… of experiencing and sharing a connection so deep that touches your being and engages your mind… it makes you laugh, smile, cry and reconsider what you know about our history. And it’s an invitation to open your heart and mind to a story of shared humanity that resonates with your own.
Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway… Two friends…one Black, one White… one from the North… one from the South. Musicians, storytellers, students of history and world travelers… born 3 days apart!
Two separate narratives forged into one powerful friendship aimed at finding common ground and helping others to do the same.
“Deeper Than the Skin” recounts a remarkable journey that started 30 years ago and is now offering hope to people all over the nation. It’s a presentation that ends with an open dialogue that moves the audience from emotion into action…that gives voice and direction to the question “What can I do to improve our nation?”
“Deeper Than the Skin” is an interactive, engaging invitation to take a step into our present reality. It’s an affirmation of the notion that a more perfect union begins…. with us!
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“Deeper Than The Skin” is an absolutely amazing experience. Not a performance (although these are two fine performers) but an experience. If you are anywhere within reach of this, don’t miss it.”
–Rev. Gordon Gibson, retired UU Minister
author of “Southern Witness”
Co-founder of the Living Legacy Project, Selma Civil Rights activist.
Race and Song
Race and Song: A Musical Conversation (Grades K-12)
TAKEN FROM MOOCKS page -- do you dp a not for schools show?
Alastair is joined by his old friend, legendary musician and social justice educator Reggie Harris for a powerful exploration of race, class, gender, and history. With intentionality and generosity of spirit, the duo open up to each other and frame their lived experiences through music, which always helps the medicine go down! Improvising on songs like “Wade in the Water,” “Woke Up This Morning With My Eyes Stayed on Freedom,” and “This Little Light of Mine,” as well as several original compositions, Alastair and Reggie demonstrate the unique ability of music to simultaneously express sorrow, joy, creativity, and determination. Over the past few years, “Race and Song” has toured all around the country: to theaters, arts centers, congregations, libraries, senior centers, and many, many schools… A must see program for anyone interested in booking race-conscious work for young people. Learn more HERE.
