Cast
Mary Lou Fallis — Soprano
Carolyn Williams — Soprano
Shadell Permanand — Soprano
Mark Rainey — Tenor
Ali Garrison — Alto
Gerard Chrysostum-Louis — Bass
Darryl Huggins — Bass
Program notes
A bright documentary about the Nathaniel Dett Chorale of Toronto that has been celebrating African music for more than fifty years in all its diversity.
Their name comes from Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), one of the most famous Afro-American composers of his time, known for his folk music songs and his spirituals, but also for his piano compositions in the romantic style. The Canadian members of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale pursue the mission of their spiritual father, focusing on black music. From classical music to Gospel, including blues, jazz and folk music, the twenty-one singers have been offering their energy and passion since 1998, under the direction of their founder, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor.
By performing at events paying tribute to prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and pianist Oscar Peterson, or by being the only Canadian artists invited to the historical inauguration of Barack Obama's presidency in 2009, the choir is a reference of the Afrocentric music of the past, of today, and tomorrow. Teaching to an audience, giving them keys to understand and accept this music by performing it in all its diversity is Nathaniel Dett Chorale's mission.
This documentary includes the interpretation of works by Nathaniel Dett, interviews of outstanding figures such as jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, composer Moses Hogen, singer Mary Lou Fallis or Rob Bowman, musicologist laureate of the Grammy Awards. It sheds light on Dett's influence on Afrocentric music in North America.