Dee Alexander’s evolution ensemble reunion
Saturday, September 27
TIME: 5:45pm-6:45pm
VENUE: Wagner Stage. Midway Plaisance at South woodlawn Ave.
A black and white photo of Dee Alexander smiling and looking towards the right top corner. Dee has her hair in a bun and wearing a black jacket with eclectic earrings and a necklace.
Photo by Claude Aline Nazaire Miller
Dee Alexander
Born and raised in Chicago on the West Side, Dee Alexander has roots that are buried deep into the musical culture of Chicago. One night her life changed when she attended a concert at the Progressive Arts Center, which was located on 16th and Wabash, a loft that ascended up so many steps it was like going to heaven.
“It was my first encounter with the AACM (Association of the Advancement of Creative Musicians). Performing that night was Rita Warford, Iqua Colson and Transource. The room was alive with music, artisans selling their wares and people vibing with one another while entranced by the music. This was a scene I wanted to be a part of ….and I wanted more. I started taking classes at the AACM School of Music. I was also introduced to Muntu Dance Theater with Alyo Tolbert as the Artistic Director. Their performances took my breath away from the start…. and I wanted more. I started working with Eli Hoenai and Prana Ensemble and my quest and research began…I was on the road to new experiences in music. While performing at the Center for Inner City Studies with Prana Ensemble, “Light” Henry Huff approached me and asked if I would be interested in a music project…my response was yes. Studying with Light changed my life and my music trajectory. I had never met anyone like him…his countenance, knowledge and spirituality was all encompassing….I wanted more! We would spend many nights in conversation about his compositions and I am honored that he wrote lyrics for me to sing! Unfortunately, he transitioned in March of 1993 of sarcoidosis and each day he is in my thoughts and dreams.
The Evolution Ensemble was formed to salute the music of “Light” Henry Huff and thanks to Lauren Deutsch, the former Executive Director of the Jazz Institute, we performed his music at the Columbus Park Field House in 2007 on a beautiful summer day…with the backdrop of fireflies. The group consisted of string instruments and percussion. This performance at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival the Evolution Ensemble will perform “Light” Henry Huff compositions and the personnel includes Scott Hesse (guitar); Junius Paul (bass); Kevin King (reeds); Ernie Adams (drums/percussion) and Dee Alexander voice. The Evolution Ensemble salutes “Light” Henry Huff….my mentor, my friend!”
The musicians:
Dee Alexander - vocals
Kevin King - tenor saxophone
Scott Hesse - guitar
Junius Paul - bass
Yusef Ernie Adams - drums/percussion