A Dream Deferred

To the Philharmonic Music Room tonight to see Tayo Aluko in ‘What Happens?’ https://youtube.com/watch?v=t022CdDyy2g his tribute to writer, activist and leading light of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes.  

Tayo’s performance included a selection of Hughes’ poetry and prose, together with a sprinkling of songs from the period, accompanied by a jazz trio... Matthew Rooke (bass/piano), Fred Thelonius Baker (guitar) and Mike Hardy (trumpet/piano).

Highlights included the poem ‘Freedom Train’, read here by Paul Robeson https://youtube.com/watch?v=8SHebpDuC64 (about whom Tayo has also created an award-winning show, ‘Call Mr. Robeson’) and the classic  ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing’, performed here by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra https://youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

Tayo has appeared in this journal on several previous occasions, on account of him being a lovely person, a talented writer, singer and actor... and his winning way with a bow tie! www.blipfoto.com/entry/2230964254205283809

This picture was taken immediately after the show but you can also see him, mid-croon, as an Extra.