[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] in a distant Deepak something ancient
in a distant Deepak something ancient
in a distant Deepak something ancient and borrows from a future forgotten so
and borrows from a future forgotten so
and borrows from a future forgotten so we go towards something else
we go towards something else
we go towards something else [Music]
[Music]
[Music] a boundless eternal something else a
a boundless eternal something else a
a boundless eternal something else a crucial parts it is missing we must find
crucial parts it is missing we must find
crucial parts it is missing we must find this we must fight yeah yeah yeah yeah
good evening I’m gonna talk about thank
good evening I’m gonna talk about thank you so I’m gonna talk about the auto
you so I’m gonna talk about the auto
you so I’m gonna talk about the auto destiny and it relates back to one of my
destiny and it relates back to one of my
destiny and it relates back to one of my favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him
favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him
favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me
the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me
the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me he’s probably the first after a few
he’s probably the first after a few
he’s probably the first after a few chorist and his work covers the ancient
chorist and his work covers the ancient
chorist and his work covers the ancient the present and the modern and all of
the present and the modern and all of
the present and the modern and all of those things for me the beginning middle
those things for me the beginning middle
those things for me the beginning middle and end relate to destiny and
and end relate to destiny and
and end relate to destiny and destination and where we going and his
destination and where we going and his
destination and where we going and his thing of an auto destiny or an
thing of an auto destiny or an
thing of an auto destiny or an alternative path was about how we use
alternative path was about how we use
alternative path was about how we use the auto destiny to bring us to other
the auto destiny to bring us to other
the auto destiny to bring us to other spaces so if we think about destiny
spaces so if we think about destiny
spaces so if we think about destiny through the lens of the past and the
through the lens of the past and the
through the lens of the past and the present they can both exist
present they can both exist
present they can both exist simultaneously so the past can be in the
simultaneously so the past can be in the
simultaneously so the past can be in the present and the past can be in the
present and the past can be in the
present and the past can be in the future the future can be in the past the
future the future can be in the past the
future the future can be in the past the future can be in the present it all
future can be in the present it all
future can be in the present it all depends on where your perspective is at
depends on where your perspective is at
depends on where your perspective is at a given point in time one of the things
a given point in time one of the things
a given point in time one of the things I really admired about Sunhwa was
I really admired about Sunhwa was
I really admired about Sunhwa was the way that he used costume and he
the way that he used costume and he
the way that he used costume and he combines space-age kind of philosophy
combines space-age kind of philosophy
combines space-age kind of philosophy space-age clothes with also ancient
space-age clothes with also ancient
space-age clothes with also ancient Egyptian mythology and items and he
Egyptian mythology and items and he
Egyptian mythology and items and he incorporated all of this into a picture
incorporated all of this into a picture
incorporated all of this into a picture a picture of what it could be
a picture of what it could be
a picture of what it could be particularly for what black Americans
particularly for what black Americans
particularly for what black Americans could be and during a time in which he
could be and during a time in which he
could be and during a time in which he was around he started in the 1930s and
was around he started in the 1930s and
was around he started in the 1930s and moved all the way through to the
moved all the way through to the
moved all the way through to the nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he
nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he
nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he started in the era where Louis Armstrong
started in the era where Louis Armstrong
started in the era where Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet
and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet
and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet still he was the first musician to use a
still he was the first musician to use a
still he was the first musician to use a move synthesizer in his music to use an
move synthesizer in his music to use an
move synthesizer in his music to use an electric piano and really pioneered the
electric piano and really pioneered the
electric piano and really pioneered the use of these things within jazz but
use of these things within jazz but
use of these things within jazz but really beyond jazz going into the
really beyond jazz going into the
really beyond jazz going into the Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms
Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms
Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms all of the musicians and his band with
all of the musicians and his band with
all of the musicians and his band with play instruments as well and would play
play instruments as well and would play
play instruments as well and would play drums as well as their kind of main
drums as well as their kind of main
drums as well as their kind of main instruments and this was really
instruments and this was really
instruments and this was really interesting for me because his vision of
interesting for me because his vision of
interesting for me because his vision of music was beyond just the performance or
music was beyond just the performance or
music was beyond just the performance or the idea his vision of music was about
the idea his vision of music was about
the idea his vision of music was about how it was used to reimagine
how it was used to reimagine
how it was used to reimagine possibilities and that for me is the
possibilities and that for me is the
possibilities and that for me is the most interesting thing where our
most interesting thing where our
most interesting thing where our potentials are and how do you use
potentials are and how do you use
potentials are and how do you use creativity to imagine a different
creativity to imagine a different
creativity to imagine a different destiny or a different space something
destiny or a different space something
destiny or a different space something which is unknown he would call it the
which is unknown he would call it the
which is unknown he would call it the impossible sometimes and through this
impossible sometimes and through this
impossible sometimes and through this journey I’ll talk to you about my own
journey I’ll talk to you about my own
journey I’ll talk to you about my own destiny or my own destinies
destiny or my own destinies
destiny or my own destinies so I started playing music when I was
so I started playing music when I was
so I started playing music when I was probably 16 years old which is late for
probably 16 years old which is late for
probably 16 years old which is late for some and when I started playing I had a
some and when I started playing I had a
some and when I started playing I had a music teacher and it wasn’t doing
music teacher and it wasn’t doing
music teacher and it wasn’t doing a-levels and he said you’re never going
a-levels and he said you’re never going
a-levels and he said you’re never going to become a professional musician
to become a professional musician
to become a professional musician because you started too late compared to
because you started too late compared to
because you started too late compared to all of these other people right exactly
all of these other people right exactly
all of these other people right exactly but I was just like ignorant I was
but I was just like ignorant I was
but I was just like ignorant I was hard-headed
hard-headed
hard-headed maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of
maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of
maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of the t but it doesn’t really matter if I
the t but it doesn’t really matter if I
the t but it doesn’t really matter if I was ignorant light and what matters is
was ignorant light and what matters is
was ignorant light and what matters is the decision that I made which was
the decision that I made which was
the decision that I made which was I am going to do this no matter what
I am going to do this no matter what
I am going to do this no matter what this person says and through that
this person says and through that
this person says and through that journey of being dedicated towards it I
journey of being dedicated towards it I
journey of being dedicated towards it I found myself practicing for about six
found myself practicing for about six
found myself practicing for about six hours ten hours a day I think that was
hours ten hours a day I think that was
hours ten hours a day I think that was the goal I read stories about great
the goal I read stories about great
the goal I read stories about great musicians like John Coltrane and how
musicians like John Coltrane and how
musicians like John Coltrane and how their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and
their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and
their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and I was I’m going to do this I had a I
I was I’m going to do this I had a I
I was I’m going to do this I had a I took a year out so before before I would
took a year out so before before I would
took a year out so before before I would go to university to try and do this to
go to university to try and do this to
go to university to try and do this to practice all of these hours on a daily
practice all of these hours on a daily
practice all of these hours on a daily basis and it ended up with me ending up
basis and it ended up with me ending up
basis and it ended up with me ending up going to Trinity College of Music which
going to Trinity College of Music which
going to Trinity College of Music which is probably one at the top
is probably one at the top
is probably one at the top conservatories in this country but upon
conservatories in this country but upon
conservatories in this country but upon getting there and staying there for a
getting there and staying there for a
getting there and staying there for a couple of years I found myself being
couple of years I found myself being
couple of years I found myself being restricted by the ideas that were in
restricted by the ideas that were in
restricted by the ideas that were in this space and my first destiny took me
this space and my first destiny took me
this space and my first destiny took me to the point of becoming a saxophone
to the point of becoming a saxophone
to the point of becoming a saxophone player and my dream was I’m gonna become
player and my dream was I’m gonna become
player and my dream was I’m gonna become the best that’s a flame player ever
the best that’s a flame player ever
the best that’s a flame player ever right that’s what you do when you’re
right that’s what you do when you’re
right that’s what you do when you’re young but the second destiny actually
young but the second destiny actually
young but the second destiny actually came to me when I was playing in a place
came to me when I was playing in a place
came to me when I was playing in a place called passing clouds in Boston which is
called passing clouds in Boston which is
called passing clouds in Boston which is unfortunately been shut down but it was
unfortunately been shut down but it was
unfortunately been shut down but it was an amazing space because on Sundays um
an amazing space because on Sundays um
an amazing space because on Sundays um they had jam sessions and on these damn
they had jam sessions and on these damn
they had jam sessions and on these damn sessions there were a lot of West
sessions there were a lot of West
sessions there were a lot of West African musicians and coming from the
African musicians and coming from the
African musicians and coming from the Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a
Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a
Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a Grenadians and leash and pair of parents
Grenadians and leash and pair of parents
Grenadians and leash and pair of parents and there’s a disconnection between your
and there’s a disconnection between your
and there’s a disconnection between your ancestral legacy being in that situation
ancestral legacy being in that situation
ancestral legacy being in that situation you don’t necessarily know where some of
you don’t necessarily know where some of
you don’t necessarily know where some of the rhythms that are being played come
the rhythms that are being played come
the rhythms that are being played come from you don’t know where some of the
from you don’t know where some of the
from you don’t know where some of the ideas come from and meeting these West
ideas come from and meeting these West
ideas come from and meeting these West African musicians was my second
African musicians was my second
African musicians was my second education I said this was my second
education I said this was my second
education I said this was my second destiny or my second alter destiny and
destiny or my second alter destiny and
destiny or my second alter destiny and this took me through a path of
this took me through a path of
this took me through a path of reconnecting with history through music
reconnecting with history through music
reconnecting with history through music and it was something I didn’t anticipate
and it was something I didn’t anticipate
and it was something I didn’t anticipate and again this goes back to the idea of
and again this goes back to the idea of
and again this goes back to the idea of the past present and future changing and
the past present and future changing and
the past present and future changing and something which is impossible because my
something which is impossible because my
something which is impossible because my first destiny I thought
first destiny I thought
first destiny I thought I’m gonna be a saxophone player this
I’m gonna be a saxophone player this
I’m gonna be a saxophone player this destiny learning about ancient Mali and
destiny learning about ancient Mali and
destiny learning about ancient Mali and traditions and understanding that music
traditions and understanding that music
traditions and understanding that music plays more of a role in society than it
plays more of a role in society than it
plays more of a role in society than it does in I guess generally in the Western
does in I guess generally in the Western
does in I guess generally in the Western world
world
world so music can be used as the means of
so music can be used as the means of
so music can be used as the means of telling stories of oral history it also
telling stories of oral history it also
telling stories of oral history it also is used to resolve disputes them the
is used to resolve disputes them the
is used to resolve disputes them the jollies or degree owes will get called
jollies or degree owes will get called
jollies or degree owes will get called in to families to help them resolve
in to families to help them resolve
in to families to help them resolve their disputes because they knew from
their disputes because they knew from
their disputes because they knew from their family’s name the lineage of that
their family’s name the lineage of that
their family’s name the lineage of that person and where they came from and that
person and where they came from and that
person and where they came from and that for me coming from the Caribbean was
for me coming from the Caribbean was
for me coming from the Caribbean was that I didn’t have this so in my second
that I didn’t have this so in my second
that I didn’t have this so in my second reality I all started living this or I
reality I all started living this or I
reality I all started living this or I started thinking about how I was gonna
started thinking about how I was gonna
started thinking about how I was gonna use these concepts in the present and
use these concepts in the present and
use these concepts in the present and how to apply them within 21st century
how to apply them within 21st century
how to apply them within 21st century and that brings me on to the third
and that brings me on to the third
and that brings me on to the third destiny so the third destiny is probably
destiny so the third destiny is probably
destiny so the third destiny is probably the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of
the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of
the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of you know from these musicians in my
you know from these musicians in my
you know from these musicians in my second destiny and this third destiny
second destiny and this third destiny
second destiny and this third destiny really is a place where you start
really is a place where you start
really is a place where you start imagining how these things are reapplied
imagining how these things are reapplied
imagining how these things are reapplied in the present tense so we’ve got you
in the present tense so we’ve got you
in the present tense so we’ve got you know this digital age digital technology
know this digital age digital technology
know this digital age digital technology we’ve got mobile phones if you were to
we’ve got mobile phones if you were to
we’ve got mobile phones if you were to take the proverb of how do you raise the
take the proverb of how do you raise the
take the proverb of how do you raise the ancient Africa probably the proverb that
ancient Africa probably the proverb that
ancient Africa probably the proverb that to raise a child it takes a village how
to raise a child it takes a village how
to raise a child it takes a village how does that apply in the 21st century when
does that apply in the 21st century when
does that apply in the 21st century when we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our
we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our
we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our main means of communication you’re gonna
main means of communication you’re gonna
main means of communication you’re gonna have to compete with Instagram and
have to compete with Instagram and
have to compete with Instagram and Facebook and snapchat and all of these
Facebook and snapchat and all of these
Facebook and snapchat and all of these things as parents or as a community or
things as parents or as a community or
things as parents or as a community or as a group and ideas are shared across
as a group and ideas are shared across
as a group and ideas are shared across vast amounts of spaces and can be
vast amounts of spaces and can be
vast amounts of spaces and can be transferred from one country to another
transferred from one country to another
transferred from one country to another and they influence the way we think so
and they influence the way we think so
and they influence the way we think so the current phase is about how do you
the current phase is about how do you
the current phase is about how do you link your physical community to your
link your physical community to your
link your physical community to your online community and how do you use
online community and how do you use
online community and how do you use digital technology to create online
digital technology to create online
digital technology to create online communities if in the digital age at one
communities if in the digital age at one
communities if in the digital age at one point in time we thought that planes
point in time we thought that planes
point in time we thought that planes we’re not gonna fly one for any time in
we’re not gonna fly one for any time in
we’re not gonna fly one for any time in human history
human history
human history they didn’t think man was gonna fly
they didn’t think man was gonna fly
they didn’t think man was gonna fly another point in time we thought
another point in time we thought
another point in time we thought especially from the Caribbean there is
especially from the Caribbean there is
especially from the Caribbean there is never going to be a black president of
never going to be a black president of
never going to be a black president of America but as history has now been
America but as history has now been
America but as history has now been written we have this evidence so people
written we have this evidence so people
written we have this evidence so people might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon
might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon
might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon Musk is building spaceships that are
Musk is building spaceships that are
Musk is building spaceships that are intending for people to go to Mars I
intending for people to go to Mars I
intending for people to go to Mars I think one of the women that’s gonna be
think one of the women that’s gonna be
think one of the women that’s gonna be on it might be Sudanese again with AI
on it might be Sudanese again with AI
on it might be Sudanese again with AI and how does that interface with in our
and how does that interface with in our
and how does that interface with in our future world I think thinking about
future world I think thinking about
future world I think thinking about those things and thinking about those
those things and thinking about those
those things and thinking about those possibilities in the present very
possibilities in the present very
possibilities in the present very crucial and how does that reply to
crucial and how does that reply to
crucial and how does that reply to creative practice and that’s a really
creative practice and that’s a really
creative practice and that’s a really interesting thing which is I think
interesting thing which is I think
interesting thing which is I think creativity is not just about playing an
creativity is not just about playing an
creativity is not just about playing an instrument it’s not just about creating
instrument it’s not just about creating
instrument it’s not just about creating music or it’s about creating a
music or it’s about creating a
music or it’s about creating a philosophy or an identity award identity
philosophy or an identity award identity
philosophy or an identity award identity and I think musicians like Sun raw other
and I think musicians like Sun raw other
and I think musicians like Sun raw other musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of
musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of
musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of my inspirations they created ideologies
my inspirations they created ideologies
my inspirations they created ideologies they weren’t just creators of sound and
they weren’t just creators of sound and
they weren’t just creators of sound and that brings you back to the idea of mass
that brings you back to the idea of mass
that brings you back to the idea of mass in my second destiny where we were
in my second destiny where we were
in my second destiny where we were talking about degree and the Jolly
talking about degree and the Jolly
talking about degree and the Jolly tradition so the idea is how do we use
tradition so the idea is how do we use
tradition so the idea is how do we use this in the present so I have set up a
this in the present so I have set up a
this in the present so I have set up a group and I’ve got these amazing
group and I’ve got these amazing
group and I’ve got these amazing musicians here with me Leeloo and silly
musicians here with me Leeloo and silly
musicians here with me Leeloo and silly as well it’s a group of other younger
as well it’s a group of other younger
as well it’s a group of other younger musicians where we all gather together
musicians where we all gather together
musicians where we all gather together to create pieces and it references the
to create pieces and it references the
to create pieces and it references the past the present and the future from the
past the present and the future from the
past the present and the future from the African Diaspora so we will look at you
African Diaspora so we will look at you
African Diaspora so we will look at you know ancient Mayan rhythms and the
know ancient Mayan rhythms and the
know ancient Mayan rhythms and the societies there will also look at Graham
societies there will also look at Graham
societies there will also look at Graham and broke and beat things are
and broke and beat things are
and broke and beat things are contemporary and then we’ll imagine what
contemporary and then we’ll imagine what
contemporary and then we’ll imagine what that looks like in the future so some of
that looks like in the future so some of
that looks like in the future so some of this is an experiment and some of this
this is an experiment and some of this
this is an experiment and some of this is the unknown and this brings me back
is the unknown and this brings me back
is the unknown and this brings me back to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say
to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say
to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say you have to start you start at the past
you have to start you start at the past
you have to start you start at the past and the present and the future and all
and the present and the future and all
and the present and the future and all the things that you know then you have
the things that you know then you have
the things that you know then you have to go to infinity when you get to
to go to infinity when you get to
to go to infinity when you get to infinity you need to go beyond divinity
infinity you need to go beyond divinity
infinity you need to go beyond divinity to something which is completely
to something which is completely
to something which is completely impossible
impossible
impossible and through my different destinies each
and through my different destinies each
and through my different destinies each stage I couldn’t see before I go to each
stage I couldn’t see before I go to each
stage I couldn’t see before I go to each stage there was something which was
stage there was something which was
stage there was something which was impossible which I could not foresee
impossible which I could not foresee
impossible which I could not foresee happening and if we spend time thinking
happening and if we spend time thinking
happening and if we spend time thinking about building the realities that we
about building the realities that we
about building the realities that we want to see maybe instead of always
want to see maybe instead of always
want to see maybe instead of always focusing on the problems or the
focusing on the problems or the
focusing on the problems or the limitations that it takes or the
limitations that it takes or the
limitations that it takes or the limitations in front of us that stuff is
limitations in front of us that stuff is
limitations in front of us that stuff is from achieving maybe our goals or even
from achieving maybe our goals or even
from achieving maybe our goals or even goals that we don’t even know that we
goals that we don’t even know that we
goals that we don’t even know that we might want to achieve in the future you
might want to achieve in the future you
might want to achieve in the future you go far beyond what you think your
go far beyond what you think your
go far beyond what you think your potential is of where you can go so if I
potential is of where you can go so if I
potential is of where you can go so if I listen to that advice when I was 16
listen to that advice when I was 16
listen to that advice when I was 16 years old you’re not gonna become a
years old you’re not gonna become a
years old you’re not gonna become a musician and I listened to that and I
musician and I listened to that and I
musician and I listened to that and I absorbed that then I don’t think half of
absorbed that then I don’t think half of
absorbed that then I don’t think half of the things that came afterwards would
the things that came afterwards would
the things that came afterwards would even have time to appear and those
even have time to appear and those
even have time to appear and those things were impossible at that age so me
things were impossible at that age so me
things were impossible at that age so me being I’m not gonna tell you my age
being I’m not gonna tell you my age
being I’m not gonna tell you my age older see that these things are
older see that these things are
older see that these things are incredibly important so it’s a finish
incredibly important so it’s a finish
incredibly important so it’s a finish I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery
I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery
I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I
it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I
it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s
guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s
guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s called
called
called the mystery and it’s all about where we
the mystery and it’s all about where we
the mystery and it’s all about where we can go from here in the present
I must go to the mystery mystery the
I must go to the mystery mystery the mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning
mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning
mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning point is almost here darkness everywhere
to the mystery beyond what we see now
to the mystery beyond what we see now good now many people cannot see those
good now many people cannot see those
good now many people cannot see those who see have no lights have how live so
who see have no lights have how live so
who see have no lights have how live so I went to find uncle wrong convinces
I went to find uncle wrong convinces
I went to find uncle wrong convinces what’s he told me going out to the
what’s he told me going out to the
what’s he told me going out to the mystery beyond what we see go now
to the mystery to the mystery the
to the mystery to the mystery the mystery to the mystery
mystery to the mystery
mystery to the mystery [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] gonna gonna miss three go now go now to
gonna gonna miss three go now go now to
gonna gonna miss three go now go now to the mystery beyond what we see go now
the mystery beyond what we see go now
the mystery beyond what we see go now missed me an idea in or thing in our
missed me an idea in or thing in our
missed me an idea in or thing in our dream the mission
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] in a distant Deepak something ancient
in a distant Deepak something ancient
in a distant Deepak something ancient and borrows from a future forgotten so
and borrows from a future forgotten so
and borrows from a future forgotten so we go towards something else
we go towards something else
we go towards something else [Music]
[Music]
[Music] a boundless eternal something else a
a boundless eternal something else a
a boundless eternal something else a crucial parts it is missing we must find
crucial parts it is missing we must find
crucial parts it is missing we must find this we must fight yeah yeah yeah yeah
good evening I’m gonna talk about thank
good evening I’m gonna talk about thank you so I’m gonna talk about the auto
you so I’m gonna talk about the auto
you so I’m gonna talk about the auto destiny and it relates back to one of my
destiny and it relates back to one of my
destiny and it relates back to one of my favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him
favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him
favorite artists um Sunhwa some call him the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me
the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me
the Godfather of afrofuturism um for me he’s probably the first after a few
he’s probably the first after a few
he’s probably the first after a few chorist and his work covers the ancient
chorist and his work covers the ancient
chorist and his work covers the ancient the present and the modern and all of
the present and the modern and all of
the present and the modern and all of those things for me the beginning middle
those things for me the beginning middle
those things for me the beginning middle and end relate to destiny and
and end relate to destiny and
and end relate to destiny and destination and where we going and his
destination and where we going and his
destination and where we going and his thing of an auto destiny or an
thing of an auto destiny or an
thing of an auto destiny or an alternative path was about how we use
alternative path was about how we use
alternative path was about how we use the auto destiny to bring us to other
the auto destiny to bring us to other
the auto destiny to bring us to other spaces so if we think about destiny
spaces so if we think about destiny
spaces so if we think about destiny through the lens of the past and the
through the lens of the past and the
through the lens of the past and the present they can both exist
present they can both exist
present they can both exist simultaneously so the past can be in the
simultaneously so the past can be in the
simultaneously so the past can be in the present and the past can be in the
present and the past can be in the
present and the past can be in the future the future can be in the past the
future the future can be in the past the
future the future can be in the past the future can be in the present it all
future can be in the present it all
future can be in the present it all depends on where your perspective is at
depends on where your perspective is at
depends on where your perspective is at a given point in time one of the things
a given point in time one of the things
a given point in time one of the things I really admired about Sunhwa was
I really admired about Sunhwa was
I really admired about Sunhwa was the way that he used costume and he
the way that he used costume and he
the way that he used costume and he combines space-age kind of philosophy
combines space-age kind of philosophy
combines space-age kind of philosophy space-age clothes with also ancient
space-age clothes with also ancient
space-age clothes with also ancient Egyptian mythology and items and he
Egyptian mythology and items and he
Egyptian mythology and items and he incorporated all of this into a picture
incorporated all of this into a picture
incorporated all of this into a picture a picture of what it could be
a picture of what it could be
a picture of what it could be particularly for what black Americans
particularly for what black Americans
particularly for what black Americans could be and during a time in which he
could be and during a time in which he
could be and during a time in which he was around he started in the 1930s and
was around he started in the 1930s and
was around he started in the 1930s and moved all the way through to the
moved all the way through to the
moved all the way through to the nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he
nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he
nineteen 1980s 1989 when he died he started in the era where Louis Armstrong
started in the era where Louis Armstrong
started in the era where Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet
and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet
and Fletcher Sanderson or around but yet still he was the first musician to use a
still he was the first musician to use a
still he was the first musician to use a move synthesizer in his music to use an
move synthesizer in his music to use an
move synthesizer in his music to use an electric piano and really pioneered the
electric piano and really pioneered the
electric piano and really pioneered the use of these things within jazz but
use of these things within jazz but
use of these things within jazz but really beyond jazz going into the
really beyond jazz going into the
really beyond jazz going into the Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms
Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms
Diaspora and picking up on the rhythms all of the musicians and his band with
all of the musicians and his band with
all of the musicians and his band with play instruments as well and would play
play instruments as well and would play
play instruments as well and would play drums as well as their kind of main
drums as well as their kind of main
drums as well as their kind of main instruments and this was really
instruments and this was really
instruments and this was really interesting for me because his vision of
interesting for me because his vision of
interesting for me because his vision of music was beyond just the performance or
music was beyond just the performance or
music was beyond just the performance or the idea his vision of music was about
the idea his vision of music was about
the idea his vision of music was about how it was used to reimagine
how it was used to reimagine
how it was used to reimagine possibilities and that for me is the
possibilities and that for me is the
possibilities and that for me is the most interesting thing where our
most interesting thing where our
most interesting thing where our potentials are and how do you use
potentials are and how do you use
potentials are and how do you use creativity to imagine a different
creativity to imagine a different
creativity to imagine a different destiny or a different space something
destiny or a different space something
destiny or a different space something which is unknown he would call it the
which is unknown he would call it the
which is unknown he would call it the impossible sometimes and through this
impossible sometimes and through this
impossible sometimes and through this journey I’ll talk to you about my own
journey I’ll talk to you about my own
journey I’ll talk to you about my own destiny or my own destinies
destiny or my own destinies
destiny or my own destinies so I started playing music when I was
so I started playing music when I was
so I started playing music when I was probably 16 years old which is late for
probably 16 years old which is late for
probably 16 years old which is late for some and when I started playing I had a
some and when I started playing I had a
some and when I started playing I had a music teacher and it wasn’t doing
music teacher and it wasn’t doing
music teacher and it wasn’t doing a-levels and he said you’re never going
a-levels and he said you’re never going
a-levels and he said you’re never going to become a professional musician
to become a professional musician
to become a professional musician because you started too late compared to
because you started too late compared to
because you started too late compared to all of these other people right exactly
all of these other people right exactly
all of these other people right exactly but I was just like ignorant I was
but I was just like ignorant I was
but I was just like ignorant I was hard-headed
hard-headed
hard-headed maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of
maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of
maybe I wasn’t I was enlightened one of the t but it doesn’t really matter if I
the t but it doesn’t really matter if I
the t but it doesn’t really matter if I was ignorant light and what matters is
was ignorant light and what matters is
was ignorant light and what matters is the decision that I made which was
the decision that I made which was
the decision that I made which was I am going to do this no matter what
I am going to do this no matter what
I am going to do this no matter what this person says and through that
this person says and through that
this person says and through that journey of being dedicated towards it I
journey of being dedicated towards it I
journey of being dedicated towards it I found myself practicing for about six
found myself practicing for about six
found myself practicing for about six hours ten hours a day I think that was
hours ten hours a day I think that was
hours ten hours a day I think that was the goal I read stories about great
the goal I read stories about great
the goal I read stories about great musicians like John Coltrane and how
musicians like John Coltrane and how
musicians like John Coltrane and how their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and
their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and
their practice for 10 12 13 14 hours and I was I’m going to do this I had a I
I was I’m going to do this I had a I
I was I’m going to do this I had a I took a year out so before before I would
took a year out so before before I would
took a year out so before before I would go to university to try and do this to
go to university to try and do this to
go to university to try and do this to practice all of these hours on a daily
practice all of these hours on a daily
practice all of these hours on a daily basis and it ended up with me ending up
basis and it ended up with me ending up
basis and it ended up with me ending up going to Trinity College of Music which
going to Trinity College of Music which
going to Trinity College of Music which is probably one at the top
is probably one at the top
is probably one at the top conservatories in this country but upon
conservatories in this country but upon
conservatories in this country but upon getting there and staying there for a
getting there and staying there for a
getting there and staying there for a couple of years I found myself being
couple of years I found myself being
couple of years I found myself being restricted by the ideas that were in
restricted by the ideas that were in
restricted by the ideas that were in this space and my first destiny took me
this space and my first destiny took me
this space and my first destiny took me to the point of becoming a saxophone
to the point of becoming a saxophone
to the point of becoming a saxophone player and my dream was I’m gonna become
player and my dream was I’m gonna become
player and my dream was I’m gonna become the best that’s a flame player ever
the best that’s a flame player ever
the best that’s a flame player ever right that’s what you do when you’re
right that’s what you do when you’re
right that’s what you do when you’re young but the second destiny actually
young but the second destiny actually
young but the second destiny actually came to me when I was playing in a place
came to me when I was playing in a place
came to me when I was playing in a place called passing clouds in Boston which is
called passing clouds in Boston which is
called passing clouds in Boston which is unfortunately been shut down but it was
unfortunately been shut down but it was
unfortunately been shut down but it was an amazing space because on Sundays um
an amazing space because on Sundays um
an amazing space because on Sundays um they had jam sessions and on these damn
they had jam sessions and on these damn
they had jam sessions and on these damn sessions there were a lot of West
sessions there were a lot of West
sessions there were a lot of West African musicians and coming from the
African musicians and coming from the
African musicians and coming from the Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a
Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a
Caribbean diaspora you know it’s a Grenadians and leash and pair of parents
Grenadians and leash and pair of parents
Grenadians and leash and pair of parents and there’s a disconnection between your
and there’s a disconnection between your
and there’s a disconnection between your ancestral legacy being in that situation
ancestral legacy being in that situation
ancestral legacy being in that situation you don’t necessarily know where some of
you don’t necessarily know where some of
you don’t necessarily know where some of the rhythms that are being played come
the rhythms that are being played come
the rhythms that are being played come from you don’t know where some of the
from you don’t know where some of the
from you don’t know where some of the ideas come from and meeting these West
ideas come from and meeting these West
ideas come from and meeting these West African musicians was my second
African musicians was my second
African musicians was my second education I said this was my second
education I said this was my second
education I said this was my second destiny or my second alter destiny and
destiny or my second alter destiny and
destiny or my second alter destiny and this took me through a path of
this took me through a path of
this took me through a path of reconnecting with history through music
reconnecting with history through music
reconnecting with history through music and it was something I didn’t anticipate
and it was something I didn’t anticipate
and it was something I didn’t anticipate and again this goes back to the idea of
and again this goes back to the idea of
and again this goes back to the idea of the past present and future changing and
the past present and future changing and
the past present and future changing and something which is impossible because my
something which is impossible because my
something which is impossible because my first destiny I thought
first destiny I thought
first destiny I thought I’m gonna be a saxophone player this
I’m gonna be a saxophone player this
I’m gonna be a saxophone player this destiny learning about ancient Mali and
destiny learning about ancient Mali and
destiny learning about ancient Mali and traditions and understanding that music
traditions and understanding that music
traditions and understanding that music plays more of a role in society than it
plays more of a role in society than it
plays more of a role in society than it does in I guess generally in the Western
does in I guess generally in the Western
does in I guess generally in the Western world
world
world so music can be used as the means of
so music can be used as the means of
so music can be used as the means of telling stories of oral history it also
telling stories of oral history it also
telling stories of oral history it also is used to resolve disputes them the
is used to resolve disputes them the
is used to resolve disputes them the jollies or degree owes will get called
jollies or degree owes will get called
jollies or degree owes will get called in to families to help them resolve
in to families to help them resolve
in to families to help them resolve their disputes because they knew from
their disputes because they knew from
their disputes because they knew from their family’s name the lineage of that
their family’s name the lineage of that
their family’s name the lineage of that person and where they came from and that
person and where they came from and that
person and where they came from and that for me coming from the Caribbean was
for me coming from the Caribbean was
for me coming from the Caribbean was that I didn’t have this so in my second
that I didn’t have this so in my second
that I didn’t have this so in my second reality I all started living this or I
reality I all started living this or I
reality I all started living this or I started thinking about how I was gonna
started thinking about how I was gonna
started thinking about how I was gonna use these concepts in the present and
use these concepts in the present and
use these concepts in the present and how to apply them within 21st century
how to apply them within 21st century
how to apply them within 21st century and that brings me on to the third
and that brings me on to the third
and that brings me on to the third destiny so the third destiny is probably
destiny so the third destiny is probably
destiny so the third destiny is probably the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of
the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of
the one I’m in now I’ve learned a lot of you know from these musicians in my
you know from these musicians in my
you know from these musicians in my second destiny and this third destiny
second destiny and this third destiny
second destiny and this third destiny really is a place where you start
really is a place where you start
really is a place where you start imagining how these things are reapplied
imagining how these things are reapplied
imagining how these things are reapplied in the present tense so we’ve got you
in the present tense so we’ve got you
in the present tense so we’ve got you know this digital age digital technology
know this digital age digital technology
know this digital age digital technology we’ve got mobile phones if you were to
we’ve got mobile phones if you were to
we’ve got mobile phones if you were to take the proverb of how do you raise the
take the proverb of how do you raise the
take the proverb of how do you raise the ancient Africa probably the proverb that
ancient Africa probably the proverb that
ancient Africa probably the proverb that to raise a child it takes a village how
to raise a child it takes a village how
to raise a child it takes a village how does that apply in the 21st century when
does that apply in the 21st century when
does that apply in the 21st century when we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our
we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our
we’ve got mobile phones and it’s our main means of communication you’re gonna
main means of communication you’re gonna
main means of communication you’re gonna have to compete with Instagram and
have to compete with Instagram and
have to compete with Instagram and Facebook and snapchat and all of these
Facebook and snapchat and all of these
Facebook and snapchat and all of these things as parents or as a community or
things as parents or as a community or
things as parents or as a community or as a group and ideas are shared across
as a group and ideas are shared across
as a group and ideas are shared across vast amounts of spaces and can be
vast amounts of spaces and can be
vast amounts of spaces and can be transferred from one country to another
transferred from one country to another
transferred from one country to another and they influence the way we think so
and they influence the way we think so
and they influence the way we think so the current phase is about how do you
the current phase is about how do you
the current phase is about how do you link your physical community to your
link your physical community to your
link your physical community to your online community and how do you use
online community and how do you use
online community and how do you use digital technology to create online
digital technology to create online
digital technology to create online communities if in the digital age at one
communities if in the digital age at one
communities if in the digital age at one point in time we thought that planes
point in time we thought that planes
point in time we thought that planes we’re not gonna fly one for any time in
we’re not gonna fly one for any time in
we’re not gonna fly one for any time in human history
human history
human history they didn’t think man was gonna fly
they didn’t think man was gonna fly
they didn’t think man was gonna fly another point in time we thought
another point in time we thought
another point in time we thought especially from the Caribbean there is
especially from the Caribbean there is
especially from the Caribbean there is never going to be a black president of
never going to be a black president of
never going to be a black president of America but as history has now been
America but as history has now been
America but as history has now been written we have this evidence so people
written we have this evidence so people
written we have this evidence so people might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon
might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon
might think we won’t go to Mars but Elon Musk is building spaceships that are
Musk is building spaceships that are
Musk is building spaceships that are intending for people to go to Mars I
intending for people to go to Mars I
intending for people to go to Mars I think one of the women that’s gonna be
think one of the women that’s gonna be
think one of the women that’s gonna be on it might be Sudanese again with AI
on it might be Sudanese again with AI
on it might be Sudanese again with AI and how does that interface with in our
and how does that interface with in our
and how does that interface with in our future world I think thinking about
future world I think thinking about
future world I think thinking about those things and thinking about those
those things and thinking about those
those things and thinking about those possibilities in the present very
possibilities in the present very
possibilities in the present very crucial and how does that reply to
crucial and how does that reply to
crucial and how does that reply to creative practice and that’s a really
creative practice and that’s a really
creative practice and that’s a really interesting thing which is I think
interesting thing which is I think
interesting thing which is I think creativity is not just about playing an
creativity is not just about playing an
creativity is not just about playing an instrument it’s not just about creating
instrument it’s not just about creating
instrument it’s not just about creating music or it’s about creating a
music or it’s about creating a
music or it’s about creating a philosophy or an identity award identity
philosophy or an identity award identity
philosophy or an identity award identity and I think musicians like Sun raw other
and I think musicians like Sun raw other
and I think musicians like Sun raw other musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of
musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of
musicians that Fela Kuti and of one of my inspirations they created ideologies
my inspirations they created ideologies
my inspirations they created ideologies they weren’t just creators of sound and
they weren’t just creators of sound and
they weren’t just creators of sound and that brings you back to the idea of mass
that brings you back to the idea of mass
that brings you back to the idea of mass in my second destiny where we were
in my second destiny where we were
in my second destiny where we were talking about degree and the Jolly
talking about degree and the Jolly
talking about degree and the Jolly tradition so the idea is how do we use
tradition so the idea is how do we use
tradition so the idea is how do we use this in the present so I have set up a
this in the present so I have set up a
this in the present so I have set up a group and I’ve got these amazing
group and I’ve got these amazing
group and I’ve got these amazing musicians here with me Leeloo and silly
musicians here with me Leeloo and silly
musicians here with me Leeloo and silly as well it’s a group of other younger
as well it’s a group of other younger
as well it’s a group of other younger musicians where we all gather together
musicians where we all gather together
musicians where we all gather together to create pieces and it references the
to create pieces and it references the
to create pieces and it references the past the present and the future from the
past the present and the future from the
past the present and the future from the African Diaspora so we will look at you
African Diaspora so we will look at you
African Diaspora so we will look at you know ancient Mayan rhythms and the
know ancient Mayan rhythms and the
know ancient Mayan rhythms and the societies there will also look at Graham
societies there will also look at Graham
societies there will also look at Graham and broke and beat things are
and broke and beat things are
and broke and beat things are contemporary and then we’ll imagine what
contemporary and then we’ll imagine what
contemporary and then we’ll imagine what that looks like in the future so some of
that looks like in the future so some of
that looks like in the future so some of this is an experiment and some of this
this is an experiment and some of this
this is an experiment and some of this is the unknown and this brings me back
is the unknown and this brings me back
is the unknown and this brings me back to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say
to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say
to kind of finishing Sunhwa would say you have to start you start at the past
you have to start you start at the past
you have to start you start at the past and the present and the future and all
and the present and the future and all
and the present and the future and all the things that you know then you have
the things that you know then you have
the things that you know then you have to go to infinity when you get to
to go to infinity when you get to
to go to infinity when you get to infinity you need to go beyond divinity
infinity you need to go beyond divinity
infinity you need to go beyond divinity to something which is completely
to something which is completely
to something which is completely impossible
impossible
impossible and through my different destinies each
and through my different destinies each
and through my different destinies each stage I couldn’t see before I go to each
stage I couldn’t see before I go to each
stage I couldn’t see before I go to each stage there was something which was
stage there was something which was
stage there was something which was impossible which I could not foresee
impossible which I could not foresee
impossible which I could not foresee happening and if we spend time thinking
happening and if we spend time thinking
happening and if we spend time thinking about building the realities that we
about building the realities that we
about building the realities that we want to see maybe instead of always
want to see maybe instead of always
want to see maybe instead of always focusing on the problems or the
focusing on the problems or the
focusing on the problems or the limitations that it takes or the
limitations that it takes or the
limitations that it takes or the limitations in front of us that stuff is
limitations in front of us that stuff is
limitations in front of us that stuff is from achieving maybe our goals or even
from achieving maybe our goals or even
from achieving maybe our goals or even goals that we don’t even know that we
goals that we don’t even know that we
goals that we don’t even know that we might want to achieve in the future you
might want to achieve in the future you
might want to achieve in the future you go far beyond what you think your
go far beyond what you think your
go far beyond what you think your potential is of where you can go so if I
potential is of where you can go so if I
potential is of where you can go so if I listen to that advice when I was 16
listen to that advice when I was 16
listen to that advice when I was 16 years old you’re not gonna become a
years old you’re not gonna become a
years old you’re not gonna become a musician and I listened to that and I
musician and I listened to that and I
musician and I listened to that and I absorbed that then I don’t think half of
absorbed that then I don’t think half of
absorbed that then I don’t think half of the things that came afterwards would
the things that came afterwards would
the things that came afterwards would even have time to appear and those
even have time to appear and those
even have time to appear and those things were impossible at that age so me
things were impossible at that age so me
things were impossible at that age so me being I’m not gonna tell you my age
being I’m not gonna tell you my age
being I’m not gonna tell you my age older see that these things are
older see that these things are
older see that these things are incredibly important so it’s a finish
incredibly important so it’s a finish
incredibly important so it’s a finish I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery
I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery
I’m gonna play a tune called the mystery it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I
it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I
it’s inspired as by Sunhwa as this is I guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s
guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s
guess about Sandra and afrofuturism it’s called
called
called the mystery and it’s all about where we
the mystery and it’s all about where we
the mystery and it’s all about where we can go from here in the present
I must go to the mystery mystery the
I must go to the mystery mystery the mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning
mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning
mysteries are only ho Romeo the turning point is almost here darkness everywhere
to the mystery beyond what we see now
to the mystery beyond what we see now good now many people cannot see those
good now many people cannot see those
good now many people cannot see those who see have no lights have how live so
who see have no lights have how live so
who see have no lights have how live so I went to find uncle wrong convinces
I went to find uncle wrong convinces
I went to find uncle wrong convinces what’s he told me going out to the
what’s he told me going out to the
what’s he told me going out to the mystery beyond what we see go now
to the mystery to the mystery the
to the mystery to the mystery the mystery to the mystery
mystery to the mystery
mystery to the mystery [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] gonna gonna miss three go now go now to
gonna gonna miss three go now go now to
gonna gonna miss three go now go now to the mystery beyond what we see go now
the mystery beyond what we see go now
the mystery beyond what we see go now missed me an idea in or thing in our
missed me an idea in or thing in our
missed me an idea in or thing in our dream the mission
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
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