Newburgh - Mount Saint Mary College’s "Percussive Journey Through Genres of Music" concert series continued Saturday with Jeff Haynes.
Over the past several months, the community has been invited to hear Haynes as he presents the percussion instruments, rhythms and history related to a different type of genre. Classical Jazz, Caribbean, Blues, American Folk, New Age, African, Brazilian and Klezmer are examined from the percussion perspective.
This month Haynes brought a special guest, Samite of Uganda, to perform with him. For more than ten years, the duo has been performing and creating music together. Samite recalls, "When we first went into the studio to record Jeff said, ‘what do you think about this whistle’ - I said no." As he laughs about it, "I am much more open now," Samite said, "I trust these guys."
That feeling of trust could be felt in the music that was presented to the audience. Haynes and Samite formed a natural bond on stage as they took the audience on a musical journey with colorful music and stories.
Samite, also an avid photographer, prepared a dazzling slide show of pictures from Africa, to accompany certain selections. At times the audience was encouraged to dance in the isle’s and let the music take control as Samite played the Round Kalimba.
Samite also shared pieces of his life with the audience to better acquaint them with his music. Born and raised in Uganda, Samite learned to play the traditional African flute from his grandfather. When he was twelve, a music teacher placed a western flute in his hands - setting him on his way to becoming one of East Africa’s most acclaimed flutists. He performed frequently to enthusiastic audiences throughout Uganda until 1982, when he was forced to flee to Kenya as a political refugee.
During one segment, Samite introduced the audience to Musicians for World Harmony, a not-for-profit organization he founded in 2002. The organization is dedicated to enabling musicians throughout the world to share their music to promote peace, understanding, and harmony among peoples, with a special emphasis on the displaced or distressed who can benefit most from the healing power of music. In that capacity, Samite explained, he travels as often as possible, with as many people as care to join him, to sing, play music, and exchange stories with severely disadvantaged children. "We have taken guns out of children’s hands in exchange for musical instruments," Samite said.
The audience, sat in silence, listening to his every word. The music began, and a slide show started, depicting the faces of children in Africa who have taken part in the program.
Haynes reminds everyone that the percussive journey will continue next month at Mount Saint Mary College. "Come back on February 23 to hear Blues from Milwaukee with Paul Cebar and New Orleans with Chip Wilson." On March 29th he will feature Brazilian music with Manny Moreira and finish the series on April 26th with C. Lansbom performing Klezmer.
