By Darlene Donloe
Damien Sneed wasn’t even born when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated 50 years ago on May 4, 1968. It would be 11 more years before Sneed, who will be 40 on Jan. 30, would make his entry into the world.
No matter. Sneed, who is also from Augusta, Georgia just like Dr. King, still counts him as one of his mentors.
To pay homage to the slain civil rights leader, Sneed has produced a show called We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which is currently on a 36-city tour marking the 35th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr., national holiday.
Sneed will make a stop in Northridge, CA at The Soraya on Sat., Jan 26. Joining him in the celebration is gospel singer, Erica Campbell, and evangelist/vocalist Markita Knight.
Sneed, who now lives in New York, promises the show will be “amazing.”
Just as amazing is his life and his accomplishments.
Adopted by “older parents,” Sneed, who is single, eventually found his biological family. He found his mother 16 years ago when he was 23. He found his father, six years ago. He now has 13 siblings.
A musical prodigy who was playing the piano at three years old, Sneed, who attended Howard University, began playing at his family's church when he was five years old, and by age eight, he was hired by the church as the music director for the senior choir.
So began a career as a pianist, organist, conductor, composer, producer, arranger, vocal coach, and arts educator, all of which eventually led to him traveling the world and working with such icons as Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Jessye Norman, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ashford & Simpson, Lawrence Brownlee, and more.
When you talk to Sneed, it’s obvious how much he loves music. For him, combining his love for music with his respect for Dr. King is a blessing.
I recently caught up with the multi-talented Sneed to talk about his upcoming tribute to Dr. King at The Soraya.
DD: It’s been 50 years since the death of MLK Jr. – why do we still need to celebrate MLK?
DS: His message still rings true today. It’s still a very important necessity that we all come together.
DD: Dr. King had a dream. Do you think it’s been fulfilled?
DS: Partially, but there is still much work to be done.
DD: In all these years has Dr. King’s star dimmed?
DS: I think it’s been forgotten a little bit. We’ve gotten comfortable like we’re in a place where we don't need it anymore. We need it in our schools and communities. We need to pull wisdom from him by going back and pulling his speeches.
DD: If he were here today, do you think he’d be elated or deflated about where we are as a people?
DS: Deflated. His dreams are not about just holding hands and walking together, it was more of an ideology – and some things are done in action, but not in the heart.
DD: What does MLK mean to you?
DS: Me growing up in Augusta, he was a mentor of mine. He went to Morehouse early and he also was a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church. His legacy is important to me, especially because of the close proximity. I always felt a connection to him. Always.
DD: Do you feel some kind of responsibility paying tribute to MLK?
DS: This is a big responsibility. As artists, we have to use our talents wisely. We have a platform now so we can sing on stage. I’m honored to have received first-hand accounts about him from his family members.
DD: While celebrating MLK – does that include any kind of educational component? If so, what is the lesson?
DS: It’s not just about music. I’m speaking during the entire concert. We incorporate some of his speeches. We also incorporate everything from The Wiz to spirituals, classical jazz, and audience participation. We always get an overwhelming response.
DD: Any challenges directing/producing when mounting this show?
DS: There haven’t been any challenges. It all came easily because I grew up with all this music. And I have great people working with me.
DD: Do you learn anything about your craft or about yourself each time you do a new show/CD?
DS: There are 70 songs in our repertoire. January 18, we are releasing We Shall Overcome – digital media and the physical CDs. With each new project, I continue to grow. Musically, and vocally, my skill set increases.
DD: How do you approach selecting a show and the music?
DS: It’s done through divine inspiration. I pray and feel and think about what would be appropriate for the people coming even before I see them.
DD: How many styles of gospel are incorporated into this show?
DS: Everything! We have Latin, contemporary, traditional, praise and worship.
DD: Is your gift of music learned or God-given?
DS: God-given. My parents invested in my talent at a young age so I could be nurtured by the best teachers and people in the world. They always stressed for me to be versatile.
DD: What does music do for you? Do singing and playing do the same thing for you?
DS: It depends on what singer I’m playing for. I like doing all of them. I like doing both at the same time.
DD: Imagine if there was no music, could you live?
DS: I’d be different. I’d go into math, or writing. I was pre-med. I’d go into obstetrics, gynecology or emergency medicine.
DD: You have accomplished a great deal in your life/career – what is left? Is there something at the top of your bucket list?
DS: I want to do some scores. I wrote some opera last year for Lyric Opera Chicago. It was called Empower. I’m going to do the Houston Grand Opera next year on March 5, 2020. So, for me, film scoring is left.
DD: What should people know about the history of gospel music and its cultural background?
DS: They should take the time to know about the history. A lot of people don’t know a lot about it. They know at it, but don’t know it well.
DD: Describe yourself and then tell me how you let your hair down?
DS: Shopping for clothing. I like to shop for everything, luggage, bags, hats, pants, shirts, and shoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment