PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: On the Road With Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration Tour and Derrick BaskinBroadway favorite Derrick Baskin (Memphis, Little Mermaid) is currently lending his powerful voice to the 70-person choir now touring the country with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, presenting Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian Mass in a variety of churches and concert halls.
By
Matthew Blank
October 18, 2013
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Damien Sneed, and the 70-piece Chorale Le Chateau performs Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration Tour, an historic and uplifting celebration taking place in performing arts centers and churches in the U.S.
On this unique tour, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Damien Sneed, and Chorale Le Chateau perform Marsalis’ composition Abyssinian Mass, a landmark collaboration of jazz, gospel, instrumentation, and vocals.
Never has Marsalis coalesced the codes of sacred and secular expression more successfully than with this 2008 extended work, commissioned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Abyssinian Baptist Church on West 138th Street in Harlem. Upcoming tour dates follow: October 18 St. Louis, Missouri – Touhill Performing Arts Center
October 19 Kansas City, Missouri – Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts, Helzberg Hall
October 21 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania – Messiah College
October 22 New Haven, Connecticut – Yale University, Woosley Hall
October 24-26 New York, New York – Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall
October 27 Boston, Massachusetts – Symphony Hall
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: On the Road With Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration Tour and Derrick Baskin
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: On the Road With Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration Tour and Derrick Baskin
Broadway favorite Derrick Baskin (Memphis, Little Mermaid) is currently lending his powerful voice to the 70-person choir now touring the country with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, presenting Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian Mass in a variety of churches and concert halls. Read the Playbill.com story.
23 PHOTOS
So the tour performs at different venues. College campuses, churches and performance halls. This picture is our 5th stop in Athens, Georgia, at the University of Georgia.
Derrick Baskin
Here are a couple of my tenor friends getting ready for sound check.
Derrick Baskin
The church in Athens, Georgia
Derrick Baskin
"Devotional" is the first song of Abyssinian and sets the mood for the entire piece.
This is yet another beautiful church in the south right before sound check. Augusta, Georgia
Derrick Baskin
Good Shepherd Baptist Church Augusta Georgia here we come!
Derrick Baskin
This is the church from the outside
Derrick Baskin
Derrick Baskin
Another huge church. This one in Houston, Texas. My friend Q. Smith from the last production of Les Miserables is also on tour with me.
Derrick Baskin
Sharing a fun moment with my friends Q. Smith and Marvin Lowe. Wynton Marsalis is such a down to earth guy. We hang with him all the time.
Derrick Baskin
My view during the concert. I had to sneak this picture. I honestly can't believe I sit right behind Marsalis for every concert!
Derrick Baskin
So in addition to beautiful churches, we also perform in some of the country's best touring theaters. This is in New Orleans. The Saenger Theater. Book of Mormon performs there after us!
Derrick Baskin
Saegner theater, New Orleans
Derrick Baskin
Back to the mega churches. This one is in Austin, Texas.
Derrick Baskin
Marsalis is in middle of giving a masterclass in jazz performance. What a musician. Every night during this part of the concert is different!
Derrick Baskin
Had a chance to do some sightseeing while I was in New Orleans and also to eat TONS of gumbo!
Derrick Baskin
Damien Sneed is the brilliant conductor of this piece! BRILLIANT!
Derrick Baskin
Master trumpeter Marcus, baritone Clayton and I on the way home from a successful concert!
Derrick Baskin
Marsalis schooling me in the ways of jazz. I am taking tons of notes.
Derrick Baskin
Percussionist Ali checking his messages right before soundcheck begins. Ali is amazing.
Derrick Baskin
More soundcheck
Derrick Baskin
The beautiful Long Center for the Performing Arts in Dallas, Texas! A few more cities to go. Come see us!
