“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light is simply beautiful. A joyous celebration for all.”
-Debra Ann Byrd, Founder & Producing Artistic Director, Harlem Shakespeare Festival
“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,” a new song for Kwanzaa (December 26, 2023-January 1, 2024) is available now on all major digital platforms, starting August 25, 2023. With original music by Gail C. Bluestone and lyrics from her sister, Eileen Bluestone Sherman, “Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,” features performances of multi-award winning artists in a range of genres: Afrobeat, Gospel, Jazz, Spoken Word, and Classical Choral Music.
“Gail and I come from the world of
musical theater, where every genre of music is embraced. We love surprising the
audience,” smiles Eileen, whose past work was honored with the Emmy Award. “For
‘Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,’ it was like cooking up a delectable musical gumbo that
purposely defies labels.”
Also serving as music producer, Sherman
pulled together a creative team that features the exquisite gospel vocals of
Yocontalie Jackson, whose live performances have commanded “standing room only”
audiences throughout the US and Europe. Percussionist extraordinaire Keith
“Wildchild” Middleton shares the spotlight; he’s perfected his own artistry as
a featured performer, touring the world in the theatrical phenomenon STOMP. Jazz pro Alex Otey, who has contributed to a
number of Grammy-honored recordings, co-arranged “Kwanzaa’s Pure Light” with
Jackson and Middleton, weaving their distinct musical signatures with this
unique instrumental arrangement. In tune with the season, he plays
flugelhorn on this recording.
Joining the performance team are Italy’s renown Jazz pianist, Jacopo Mazza, and the versatile bassist and leader of the new “fusion” band, Satyrdagg, Mowgli Giannitti. The Jennifer Tibbetts Singers, a New York based youth choir, under the direction of the award-winning educator and chorus director, Jennifer Tibbetts, wrap the performance together with group harmony.
Upon hearing the song, directors from
the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligous
Understanding Education Program noted, “Kwanzaa’s Pure Light’ is a
joyful, informative resource for schools that will help ensure that students of
all backgrounds feel included during the holiday season.” Sherman explains,
“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light’ was written specifically for kids’ choirs to perform at
their holiday concerts. Our song is for every child, everywhere, every holiday
season.”
“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,” is a welcome
addition to the airwaves and playlists around the globe over the winter
holidays. For those who celebrate Kwanzaa it’s the perfect way to celebrate any
holiday festivity. For those learning about Kwanzaa for the first time, the
song is an informative teaching tool. A purposeful gift.
“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,” also is
featured on the new children’s album, Arise
Together - Children of the World (OLF Global Foundation), produced by Grammy Award-winning
producer, Kevin Mackie, and award-winning film producer, Rupam Sarmah.
The Arise Together album promotes awareness for “Ability in Disability, Inclusion, and Diversity” and features youth choirs from
Ukraine, Uganda, India, Mexico, Cuba, Mexico, the U.K. and the United
States.
“Kwanzaa’s Pure Light” www.ebsoriginals.com/kpl-stream
Kwanzaa’s
Pure Light
LEAD: Matunda Ya Kwanzaa,
First fruits in Swahili,
Inspired the name – Kwanzaa
Come celebrate
With stories and songs
Poems and dance
All to the Rhythm of African Drums
For Seven Nights
Rejoice
Reflect
Recall, Dr. Maulana Karenga
Who founded Kwanzaa on these Seven Principles.
LEAD: Umoja
CHOIR (Response): Unity
LEAD: Kujichagulia
Full Choir Response: Self Determination
LEAD: Ujima
CHOIR (Response): Collective Work
And Responsibility
LEAD: Ujamaa
CHOIR (Response): Cooperative Economics
LEAD: Nia
CHOIR (Response): Purpose
LEAD:: Kuumba
CHOIR (Response): Creativity
LEAD: Imani
CHOIR (Response): Faith……..
LEAD: Candles aglow burn steady and slow
Sparkling in Red, Black, and Green
Flickering
lights for seven bright nights
A
colorful holiday scene
CHOIR: Come and Celebrate
LEAD: Seven Principles to heed
seven values we need
Cooperation, Creativity
CHOIR: Seven Principles
LEAD: Celebrate Community, Purpose, Faith, and Unity
Self-Determination, Responsibility
CHOIR: Seven Principles
LEAD: Kwanzaa’s pure light reminds us each night
Hold dear to
our African past
CHOIR: Come and Celebrate
LEAD: Come and rejoice, sing out in full voice
We gather
together at last.
CHOIR: Come and Celebrate
LEAD: Seven Principles to heed,
Seven values we need
Cooperation, Creativity
CHOIR: Seven Principles
LEAD: Celebrate Community, Purpose, Faith and Unity
Self-Determination, Responsibility
CHOIR: Seven Principles
LEAD: Celebrate harvest
Lead &Choir: While little ones dance
LEAD: Babies are fast asleep.
CHOIR: Come and Celebrate
LEAD: Elders tell more
Of what came
before
Our
culture has roots that run deep.
CHOIR: Come and Celebrate
LEAD: Umoja………………percussion responds
LEAD: Kujichagulia………..percussion responds
LEAD: Ujima……………….percussion responds
LEAD: Ujamaa……………...percussion responds
LEAD: Nia…………………..percussion responds
LEAD: Kuumba……………..percussion responds
LEAD: Imani………………..percussion responds
(Instrumental interlude)
CHOIR: (with LEAD ad-lib above)
Kwanzaa’s pure light reminds us each night
Hold dear to our African past.
Come and rejoice, sing out in full voice
We gather together at last.
Ah Ah Ah Ah
LEAD: Let’s Celebrate .
CHOIR: Ah
LEAD: Let’s Celebrate
LEAD: Come and Celebrate Kwanzaa with me. Celebrate Kwanzaa with me.
CHOIR: Come and Cel- Celebrate Kwanzaa
LEAD: Come and Celebrate Kwanzaa with me. Celebrate Kwanzaa with me.
CHOIR: Come and Cel- Celebrate Kwanzaa
LEAD: Come and Celebrate Kwanzaa with me. Celebrate Kwanzaa with me.
CHOIR: Come and Cel- Celebrate Kwanzaa.
LEAD: Come and Celebrate Kwanzaa with me. Celebrate Kwanzaa with me.
CHOIR: Come and Cel-Celebrate KWANZAA!
© 2023 Gail Bluestone, Eileen Bluestone Sherman,
All Rights Reserved
CREDITS
Lyrics by Eileen Bluestone Sherman/ Music by Gail C. Bluestone
Vocal Arrangement by Alex Otey & Yocontalie Jackson
Percussion Arrangement by Keith Middleton
Instrumental Arrangement by Alex Otey
Lead Vocalist: Yocontalie Jackson with The Jennifer Tibbetts Singers
Youth Choir Director: Jennifer Tibbetts
Youth Choir Members: Chianne Warthen, Juliet Rand, Lily Wasoski, Sahana Nagula,
Scarlett Phillips, Ty’lah Singleton, Zoe Schuldenfrei
Percussion: Keith Middleton and Yocontalie Jackson
Piano: Jacopo Mazza
Flugelhorn: Alex Otey
Bass: Mowgli Ginannitti
Engineers: Benjamin Arrindell & Jack Schlandt Recorded at Old Mill Road
Recording in East Arlington, Vermont
Old Mill Road Recording Interns Summer 2023 Benjamin Strait, Tucker
Beaudoin
Recording Engineer: Sean Swinney, Recorded at Sean Swinney Recording in New
York City
Website Designer: Craig Light
Photographer/ Videographer: Lívia Sá
Produced by Eileen Bluestone Sherman
Recording Label: EBS Originals
https://www.ebsoriginals.com/kwanzaas-pure-light
