In Situ:
Nikara Warren Presents: Black Wall Street
Tickets
Interview with Nikara Warren
This will be the first time you will be preforming Black Wall Street. What helped inspire this show?
Black Wall Street is not only inspired by the horrific massacre and riot in 1921, but the booming Black community that existed in Greenwood, Oklahoma before that day. I grew up viewing true socioeconomic dichotomies within my own family. Unfortunately while I may have been doing well, I saw so much struggle amongst those who looked like me. This project is my ode to Black excellence. It is also my call for all people to explore the excellence within themselves. We all have greatness within us and should not be censored or sabotaged.
We are fortunate to have musicians such as Amaury Acosta, Paul Wilson (BAE BRO), and you preform at National Sawdust in the past. When did you begin working with the rest of your band and how did this project form?
I’ve known Jelani since 2007. We played lots of music together at Berklee. That’s where I met Godwin as well although this is our first time playing together. I actually just recently began playing with the rest of the band. True newness! They were familiar faces from late night jam sessions and shows around New York. The energy just sort of clicked. I’m a creature of habit. If it ain’t broke why fix it.
What could a new listener of your music expect on this special night of Black Wall Street?
You’ll hear music based on my experience growing up in Brooklyn, New York. Black Wall Street is about excellence and feeling regal in your own skin, so you’ll hear any music that made me feel great to be myself. I grew up in a house deeply rooted in jazz so I can never get away from improvisational music. My mothers generation was huge on House music so you can expect to dance! When you’re from Brooklyn, and born in the 80s, it’s difficult not love Hip-Hop since it feels like it goes with the borough; the old one anyway. It’s a huge melting pot of ‘feel-good’ music!
About this Program
Saturday, June 18th 10pm
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Nikara Warren began playing vibraphone at age 14. Though mostly self taught, she studied with her grandfather, Kenny Barron and vibraphonist Stefon Harris. Ms. Warren received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and graduated in 2010. After after receiving her degree in Music Business/Management, Nikara spent years working at Sony in the copyright department. When she realized she missed playing terribly Nikara began composing again, and was able to become an alumna of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead class of 2013 and 2014. Nikara is currently working on her debut album, and can be seen playing with vocalist Charanee Wade, and pianist Kenny Barron.
In the early 1900s America’s most affluent Black neighborhood boasted over 600 Black owned businesses, including schools, markets and hospitals. Although Greenwood, Oklahoma’s population was destroyed by local rioting Whites (including the KKK, police force and National Guard) in one of this country’s largest and most unspoken massacres of our history, Nikara Warren pays tribute to Black Wall Street in attempt to create an open discussion for all people about supporting people of color in business, education and the arts. “Black music is a treasure to be uplifted, not destroyed” Nikara Warren
Featuring…
Nikara Warren - Vibraphone
Paul Wilson (BAE BRO) - Keyboards
Spencer Murphy - Bass
Amaury Acosta - Drums
Jelani Bauman – Trumpet
Space People – Guitar
Tenor Sax – Godwin Louis
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