On Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2pm, BSAC kicks out the jams with Dave Sewelson on Dave’s WFMU Give The Drummer Radio Stream. We’ll riff on our timeless founder Gregory Stephen “Ionman” Tate; the release of our first piece of vinyl; our recent Burnt Sugar SmokeHouse super rad, throw down at Lincoln Center; our upcoming SlamJunk Productions/Radegast Hall hit … while occasionally dripping live, microscopic-avant-groidd-sugar sauce all over your eardrums with an improvisation or two, or three, or four. You know what time it is, where’s there’s the Burnt Sugar Arkestra … there’s always more.
Dave Sewelson was born in Oakland, California in 1952. There was a half-size violin kept in the family closet in case he wanted to become a concert violinist. Instead Dave played trumpet at the age of nine; moved on to baritone horn at the age of eleven; followed by a stint on drums until settling on electric bass at the age of thirteen. After adding upright bass to the mix Dave switched to saxophone at the age of twenty-one. He has specialized in the baritone saxophone since the early seventies.
Sewelson arrived in New York City in the summer of 1977. Settling in the East Village becaming a stalwart of the downtown scene playing with The 25 O’Clock Band, Jemeel Moondoc’s Jus Grew Orchestra, Saheb Sarbib’s Multinational Big Band, Noise R Us, Mofungo, Freedomland and Fast ‘n Bulbous.
Dave was a founding member of the Microscopic Septet and is a lifetime member of William Parker’s Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra and has played with many wonderful musicians, including, Billy Bang, John Zorn, Peter Kuhn, Alex Cline, Roy Campbell, Sonny Murray, Kidd Jordan, Daniel Carter, Will Connell and Stephanie Stone.
Current projects include Two Sisters Inc., Sewelsonics, the MFAFWQ, The Daves, Smooth FreeJazz, and the Jazz Camp Trio.
As well as being a guest on radio shows on such stations as KPOO, WFMU and WKCR, he has been heard on the theme music of a variety of shows on NPR.
Dave hosts a weekly radio show on Saturdays from 2 til 5pm on WFMU’s Give the Drummer Radio Stream. Every week Dave has a guest musician/poet/artist on the air for conversation, playing records and spontaneous live improvisations. Past guests have included, Daniel Carter, William Parker, Steve Swell, Michael Moss, Steve Dalachinksy Lisa Sokolov and a host of other luminaries.
Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber presents “The Nineteenth Letter” at Winter JazzFest 2024 Appearing: Brooklyn Marathon at Brooklyn Bowl Saturday, January 13 | Set time: 7:30pm Tickets & Information
Text: Nelson George | Recorded Narration: Cassandra Freeman | Conduction: Vernon Reid | Special Guest: DJ Logic | Musical Direction: V. Jeffrey Smith & Jared Michael Nickerson
“The Nineteenth Letter” was created by Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber in 2023 as a part of Lincoln Center’s full campus Juneteenth celebration curated by Carl Hancock Rux.
“Yes, the word “free” is in the very first sentence of the ordinance. But the freedom authorized here kept the newly freed in the employment of their previous owners and, implicit, is that that freedom will be policed. “Idleness,” which some would argue is the truest expression of personal freedom, would be, and has always been, monitored.
So yes, Juneteenth is a celebration, but also a testament to the limits of freedom in these United States, it means full freedom was then, and remains now, a dream deferred and what happens to a dream deferred and deferred and deferred…”
Nelson George
“In January 2023, when we were developing “The Nineteenth Letter”, Rux sent this missive: ‘Jared … bring me the fury of a Sly Stone meets Richie Havens meets Betty Davis meets Grace Jones meets James Brown “Freedom Now”, “Slaves No Mo”, “Wake Up Everybody and Be Free”, “Fight the Power” “Burn This Mother Down”, “Turn This Mother Out”, “Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired”, “Flower Power” soul set list this side of a citywide bonfire (those aren’t set list suggestions, just references for feeling).’
With Carl’s request in mind, I had a conversation with Nelson George as I’ve always been troubled in regard to the idea of “celebrating” American Negroes in Texas finding out they were free people two years after the fact. Then … duh … Nelson mentioned how slowly news traveled back in those times, if it traveled at all … And that it wasn’t just the knowledge of being free, but the arrival of federal troops to forcibly make it so. This made all the sense in the world and sparked the creation of this performance piece.”
Jared Michael Nickerson
The Significance of Nineteen
“The 19th letter of the alphabet is a dance of two curls that slides through history, a letter both sweet and sour. It is the starting letter of words soft, silly and sad. The 19th letter is the first in slavery that most sinister and savage institution that symbolizes the sickness in our national soul.”
Sizzlin Hot Deep In The ❤️ of Texas
Chorus: Fire Sizzlin’ hot Deep in the Heart of Texas Ready to Expire Cause it’s Sizz-I-Lin HoT Fire Sizzlin’ hot Deep in the Heart of Texas Surrounded by Colonizers makin It Sizz-I-Lin HoT
1st Verse The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap) Deep in the heart of Texas. The prairie sky is wide and high (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas. The sage in bloom is like perfume (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas.
2nd Verse: The coyotes wail along the trail (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas. The rabbits rush around the brush (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas. The cowboys cry ki yippee yi (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas.
Outro: Sizzlin Hot Cause It’s Sizzlin Hot Deep in the Heart of Texas Sizzlin Hot Cause It’s Sizzlin Hot Deep in the Heart of Texas Sizzlin Hot Cause It’s Sizzlin Hot !!!
General Ordinance #3
“Today news is instantaneous — a bombing, a Presidential declaration, a new dance sensation — are posted, streamed and dissected in seconds just as the news blast of information enters your dome.
But in the 1860s news was a letter in a Pony Express pouch, a bag in a rail road coach or the ticking of a telegraph wire. News arrived by word of mouth, in crumpled newsprint or via an ordinance posted on a church door. So it was with General Order #3. Posted on the Negro Church of Galveston on the 19th of June 1865. General Ordinance #3 reads … “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
No More Ridin Me Cause I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: Cause I Heard it Thru the Grapevine
Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me
1st Verse: Took me by surprise I must say When I found out yesterday I know grown folk ain’t supposed to cry But these tears I can’t hold inside I can’t help but be confused If it’s true please tell me dear
Chorus: Ld: Don’tcha know that I Chorus: Heard it through the grapevine Ld: Word on the grapevine took it’s damn sweet time Ld: Don’tcha know that I Chorus: Heard it through the grapevine Ld: And I’m not going to lose my mind No More Ridin Me
Chorus: No More No More
2nd Verse: People say, “Believe half of what you see Some and none of what you hear I can’t help but be confused If it’s true please tell me dear Now by law you must let me go As it’s been two years that I should have known
Chorus: Ld: Don’tcha know that I Chorus: Heard it through the grapevine Ld: Word on the grapevine took it’s damn sweet time Ld: Don’tcha know that I Chorus: Heard it through the grapevine Ld: And I’m not going to lose my mind No More Ridin Me
Outro: Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: No More Chorus: Ridin Me Ld: Cause I Heard it Thru the Grapevine
Celebration Born of Delay
“For decades African-Americans in Texas celebrated liberation or, at least, the illusion of it that passes for freedom in many parts of this nation. That celebration, born of delay, has grown more powerful with time. So what we rejoice in here today is not information denied, but black folks ability to turn that denial into a party. We turned that 19th letter into Juneteenth.”
BSAC WJF January 13th, Brooklyn Bowl 2024 Edition
Vernon Reid: Conductor DJ Logic: Turntables & EFX Abby Dobson: Vocals Mikel “Spirithood” Banks: Vocals Shelley Nicole: Vocals Ms. Olithea: Vocals/Electronic Soundscapes Bruce Mack : Vocals Leon Gruenbaum : Keyboards/Samchillian/Vocoder JS Williams : Trumpet Lewis “Flip” Barnes: Trumpet V. Jeffrey Smith: Tenor & Soprano Saxes/Electric Guitar Jose Solares: Tenor Sax “Moist” Paula Henderson: Bari Sax Dave “Smoota” Smith: Trombone Ben Tyree: Electric Guitars Shawn Banks: Congas/Percussion Chris Eddleton: Drums & Electronics Jared Michael Nickerson: Electric Bubble Bass
Burnt Sugar surrounding Mikel Mwalimu-Banks.
Photo by Ginny Suss
After suffering a violent fall on a Lower East Side sidewalk in 2018, Burnt Sugar family member Mikel Mwalimu-Banks saw a neurologist. The appointment proved a fateful turning point in his life. Mikel was diagnosed with a form of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disease that affects the muscles of your face, shoulders, upper arms, and lower legs. The devastating diagnosis upended what was once an active life in the arts, culture, and music industries. More egregiously, the condition devastated Mikel’s ability to generate a sustainable living from his craft. Having contributed his unique style of artistry, fashion, and overall humanity to New York’s progressive Black underground scene for more than 50 years—half a century—the community he inspired and influenced is now returning the favor.
Please join us for a fundraising event in support of Mikel & his Family as he fights Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
Joe’s Pub NYC ~ 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place)
One show:
9pm Doors / 9:10pm Show DJ Logic, Ngoma Hill, Captain Kirk Douglas’s Hundred Watt Heart and Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber
‘Artists for Mikel Mwalimu-Banks’ is a non-profit-based fundraising initiative which allows him to afford the costly expenses of maintaining his care through FSHD, including medical care, specialized equipment and added living expenses. Donations go toward experiences that nourish Mikel’s soul, and help him move forward in strength through creative inspiration. Your contribution also helps build the Mwalimu-Banks FSHD Foundation, which will provide direct support to individuals struggling through the financial challenges of living with FSHD.
Check out SPEAK LIFE A culture, lifestyle, & music podcast for artists living with disabilities & their community allies.A talk space about disability culture in the arts, black men’s wellness, the healthcare industry, and aging rites of passage.
Led by Black artists, activists, and intellectuals in the 1960s and 1970s, the Black Arts Movement helped to shape the ideologies of Black identity, political beliefs, and African American culture at that time with an impact that can still be felt today.
Hapo Na Zamani (Swahili for “then and now”) re-imagines a happening from that era for today, combining elements of painting, spoken word, music, movement, wonder, and surprise to blur the boundaries between life and art for attendees to not only witness but to become a part of the art in action.
Hosted by Carl Hancock Rux with musical direction by Vernon Reid, the evening centers around a set of concerts by the Grammy Award-winning musician and a band of avant groidd musicians from Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber inspired by the greats of the Black Arts Movement and honoring the musical legacy of the late writer, lecturer, musician and intellectual Gregory Stephen “Ionman” Tate (1957-2021).
Before and after seated performance times, audiences are invited to engage with screenings of interdisciplinary artist Stefanie Batten Bland‘s film Kolonial, as well as other activations and installations featuring Shantelle Courvoisier Jackson, Nona Hendryx, Somi, Wunmi, Carrie Mae Weems, Dianne Smith, and other surprise guests.
Co-presented with Harlem Stage as part of their Black Arts Movement: Then and Now Conference, bringing elements of the past and present together to reflect, examine, and point to the full experience and legacy of this cultural movement.
As part of the Juneteenth celebration, the audience is invited to an after-performance dance party hosted by Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis of the East Village’s Middle Church featuring a Silent Disco of re-imagined gospel music by DJ Rimarkable.
Costumes, visual art and production design for this event are courtesy of the acclaimed installation artist Dianne Smith, with hair and makeup by Bernard Guiles.
In addition to Free General Admission, Lincoln Center is offering a Free Fast Track option for select Summer for the City events.
By booking Fast Track for events ahead of time, guests can access the Fast Track line at the venue which gives them priority entry to that event.
While event admission is not guaranteed, Fast Track ticket holders will have priority over the General Admission line.
It is highly recommended that attendees with Fast Track arrive no later than 15 minutes before show time to ensure entry to the event.
Please check the event’s dedicated web page to confirm if Fast Track is available for the performance you’d like to attend.
With our last Dayton Ohio performance being in 2012, BSAC would like to thank Kenneth Marcellus, Paula Ashcraft, Jim “Rev. Cool” Carter, Niki Dakota, Basim Blunt, Leslie Marie Lindsay, Don Thrasher, Napoleon Maddox, Peter Benkendorf, Eileen Carr and Chris Schadler for sweetly sticking with us ; and lastly and especially Lisa Wagner of the Dayton Levitt Pavilion for bringing us back home. Folks … Avant Groidd Cheers to You All !!!
Let us also give a shout out to Dayton Fish … the ”Sugar” crew will be seeing you in September !!!
