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Leroy Jenkins
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Artist Repertoire
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Descriptions Written by the Composer:
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SOLO
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Off Duty Dryad, for solo violin and modern dancer
Dryads are nymphs or tree spirits in Greek mythology, protectors of the forest. This piece is an adaptation of Afternoon of a Faun, by Nijinsky/Robbins. The violin replaces one of the dancers in a pas de deux. The work has three sections, the first section (slow) and second section (fast), are separated by improvisation sections. The third section, is a dancey finale that tip-toes through the melodies and swings around the spikey rhythm figures. It has improvisation sections.
In August 1955 a fourteen year old Negro youth went to visit relatives near Money, Mississippi. Intelligent and bold; he had experienced segregation in his home town, Chicago, but was unnacustomed to the severe segregation he encountered in Mississippi. While in Money one of his friends said “hey there’s a white girl in the store, I bet you won’t go in there and talk to her.” Emmitt went in and bought some candy, and as he left said, “bye baby” to that girl, the owner's wife. As a result he was brutally murdered by the woman’s husband and an accomplice. At the trial, the prosecution had trouble getting witnesses to testify. Emmitt’s uncle Mose Wright stepped forward and pointed to one of the defendants and said “Thar He.” This piece reflects the sassiness of the boy, the bravery of the uncle, and the horror of the crime. It has improvisation sections.
Themes and Improvisations On The Blues was premiered by the Kronos Quartet and recorded by the Soldier String Quartet (CRI 663). This piece shifts moods frequently. “Expansive and full of wit”, quotes Fanfare Magazine. The blues feeling is pervasive, and it has improvisation sections.