Kwanzaa’s Pure Light” Holiday Music With Educational Purpose

“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 

“Celebrating Earth in Song” at Carnegie Hall with The Indie Collaborative, April 25

Musical Performers w/ a Story of Purpose    

Come and see more than 20 award-winning IC artists perform Celebrating Earth Day in Song, which features a unique blend of the musical genres (rock, classical, jazz, Americana, theatrical) at this legendary venue.        

The storyline of this three-act/two-part (with one intermission) presentation begins with the possibilities and newness of “The Beginning” and continues with the “Reality” of the situations. What happens in the end? Hope? Wisdom? Evolution? After Act Three, the entire cast performs our traditional Indie Collaborative finale, "We'll Stay Together." 

Join us April 25, at 8 PM, at Carnegie Hall.​

This show was originally scheduled for April 2020, but was put off to April 2021, and then once again to April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The artists are extremely excited to make this dream a reality.

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The show takes place on Monday, April 25, 2022.

Doors open at 7:30PM

Show starts at 8:00PM​

Standard tickets: $60 each

Students/Seniors: $40 each

 

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Produced by Eileen Sherman and Grant Maloy Smith

Emcee: Grant Maloy Smith

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Meet Our Performers

Dr. Alan Storeygard is as dedicated to his music as he is to medicine, weaving jazz, blues, and classical music with six albums.

Amy and Alex Otey These multiple Grammy nominees have played many Americana and Children’s events including Michelle Obama’s White House Egg Roll. Alex, a superb solo and band jazz artist.    

The Bluestone Sisters Eileen(lyrics) and Gail (music) brought their music to the New York City Stages, for a range of collaborations with the Broadway community, including their Emmy Award Winning holiday show, The Odd Potato, whose studio album features 20 Tony Award Winners.  Eileen is co-founder / co-producer of the Indie Collaborative and this event.

Benjamin Lerner is the great grandson of Irving Berlin with a focus on recovery. CLEAN is his brand---his album, a weekly column for Vermont News Guide and Seven Days, and the radio show on WEQX-Manchester, VT.  

David S. Goldman is an award-winning multi-lingual singer/songwriter who performs in genres of Blues, Latin, Acoustic Rock, Pop/Jazz, and World. “Few people on earth were born to sing, but lucky for us, David Goldman is one of them,” says folk singer Christine Lavin. 

Elaine Romanelli Educator, Lyricist. Performer. Songwriter, Vocalist, Country, Folk, Musical Theatre, Pop, and Classical structures for musical theatre and for liturgical use. Composer-in-Residence at the Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy in New York City.

Grant Maloy Smith Billboard top 10 Folk-Americana artist, Grant is a co-founder/co-producer of the Indie Collaborative and emcee of this event.

Helen O’Shea Princeton, NJ -based “AmeriCeltiCana” band leader of two groups--The Shenanigans and The Shanakees, originally from Limerick, Ireland.  

Jerome Brooks Jr. Known for his work in Art= (Love)2, Power, Mother Courage and Her Children, Halston, Godfather of Harlem, Rock Band 3, and solo album “Committed By: Jerome.”  

Leti Garza Austin-based singer/songwriter/artist performs World Latin music with a social activist’s sensibility.  

Mike Greenly has 11 Billboard-charted Dance/Club hits, and collaborated with the legendary Nile Rodgers.  His co-write, “I See You” with Grant Maloy Smith is the Masterpiece Living theme of a new anti-ageism campaign.

Mowgli Gianitti Bassist, Vocalist, Composer, and Teacher. His original band Satyrdagg is 8-piece wall-of groove sound. 

Noshir Mody Multi-award winning Indian-born, NY based jazz guitarist, known for his “EthniFusion” rock & philosophy, with a new album, "An Idealist's Handbook: Identity, Love and Hope in America 2020"

Ricky Persaud, Jr and his brother LilNicky Persaud fuse contemporary hard electronic rock and are  multiple award winners.

Ryan VanDenBoom thrills audiences in the new Michael Jackson musical, MJ, nightly, at the Neil Simon Theater.  Started his career in the Broadway revival of ANNIE, plus touring theater, film, and TV.  He’s performed with the Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras.

Sophia Agranovich Ukrainian born classical pianist is a Steinway Artist and Julliard graduate, where she taught piano. She has been described by Fanfare Magazine as "a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics."

Thomas Hutchings is a popular New York City saxophonist, producer and podcast host, performing with artists from Grover Washington to the Beastie Boys, syncs on TV.   

Yocontalie Jackson is a Gospel performer, writer, producer. This multiple award winner is a recipient of the IDEA Legacy Lifetime Achievement award.  

The Venue:  Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 152 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

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Tickets available at the Carnegie Hall box office and on the Carnegie website:

carnegiehall.org/calendar/2022/04/25/celebrating-earth-day-in-song-0800pm