Welcome to Harlem Voices - The Musical
Harlem Voices is a musical by Clovice A. Lewis, Jr., that is set in the 1920s. Harlem Voices explores present-day issues of racism, LGBTQ issues, inept leadership, African-American military service in WWI, and racial profiling (among many other issues). It is about a brilliant young black vocalist who was traumatized by the Rosewood, FL massacre of her family members by the KKK. She is conflicted by falling in love with a white patron of the racially segregated club where she works in Harlem called the Black Jay Club.
Harlem Voices is a response to the racial tensions in the United States. This piece feels immediate and important as a way to answer the resurgence of the KKK, white supremacy, and Nazi groups plaguing the United States.
Harlem Voices is a response to the racial tensions in the United States. This piece feels immediate and important as a way to answer the resurgence of the KKK, white supremacy, and Nazi groups plaguing the United States.
This is the place to learn everything about Harlem Voices!
Clovice Lewis Introduces Harlem Voices to the BFUU
This is the introduction to "Harlem Voices" that I did at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists (BFUU) on February 23, 2020. The devoted their service that morning to the music of liberation by African Americans. They were kind enough to feature selections from my musical "Harlem Voices" that was completed in August of 2019. Members of their choir (under the direction of Dr. Susan Mashiyama) and special guest musicians performed the selections. I am grateful to the many people at the BFUU congregation who so enthusiastically embraced my music. I am truly honored and humbled by their deep commitment to bringing "Harlem Voices" to life.
Listen to a Radio Show Featuring Clovice Lewis Talking about Harlem Voices
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Clovice was featured on the Word Weavers show on the local public station KPFZ (88.1) on December 31, 2017. Carolyn Hawley conducted the interview, which covered a broad range of topics about Harlem Voices and the historical events that it addresses. Clovice described the inspiration that caused him to create the musical. Musical selections from the piece were also played during the interview.
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The Story
This movie is a "Trailer" that describes the story of Harlem Voices.
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The Characters
David Klein - grandson of Samuel and narrator of the story
Janet “Belle” Carter - lead singer at the Black Jay Club, Evan's sister Evan Carter - WWI vet from Rosewood, FL, Janet’s brother Andrés Fontenot - socialist WWI vet from Georgia, “passing” as a white French man Rose Carter - sister of Belle and Evan, who is killed in Rosewood attack Agnes Halpert - Belle and Evan's aunt, sister of their father Samuel Klein - socialist bookkeeper and MC at the Black Jay Club Maury Kempler - gangster owner of the Black Jay Club Jack “Boot” O'Reilly - racist manager of the Black Jay Club Billy “Kid” Anderson - young stage hand at the Black Jay Club Susan Wright - dancer at the Black Jay Club Maurice Siwel - music director at the Black Jay Club Henry Parker - friend to Andrés and Samuel Street Cop 1 - pulls Billy over for Jay Walking Street Cop 2 - kills Billy Anderson Raiding Cop - arrests Andrés at a Black Jay Club raid |
Making of the Trailer - 3D Modeling Magic
Harlem Voices is a musical that will require a fair bit of stage magic to pull off. That said, I must admit that I have nothing but admiration for the people who do stage productions. I needed a way to visualize the stage in all of the scenes. I also needed to create images to illustrate the "Trailer" movie I created. The best way to do that was with a lot of 3D modeling using Blender™.
A scene from the trailer modeled in Blender™.
A screenshot of Belle singing in the Black Jay Club using Blender™ open source software.
The History Behind Harlem Voices
Although it is a completely original fictional work set in the 1920s, Harlem Voices is based on historical facts. Harlem Voices covers the following issues:
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The Music of Harlem Voices
Harlem Voices was first conceived over 20 years ago as a theatrical cantata. It existed in my mind then as a way to describe the modern black experience in a musical manner. I originally wanted it to be used in barbershop competitions.
I put it away in 1990 while I went through a difficult divorce, but it has been brewing in my mind ever since. It wasn't until late June of 2017 that it emerged, fully formed, as a much more extensive musical. I envision music for Harlem Voices that is not very closely tied to the jazz sound of the 1920s, although I will incorporate some pieces that will sound as if they come from that era. Instead, I am looking for a more "modern" flavor... and a style that more closely suits my love of ballads and orchestral music. I also wish to write music that can be played by somewhat smaller ensembles, so there is not a lot of brass or other instruments traditionally used in musicals. Most of the piece is thus orchestrated for: Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Drum Set, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, and Bass. In fact, one of the characters, Maurice Sewil is basically my alter ego. As the music director of the Black Jay Club, he provides me with an excuse for writing "non-standard" music. This is the description of his character: "Siwel is the black Composer/Conductor/Arranger/Music director for the BJC. He is primarily a jazz musician who, curiously, insists on incorporating strings into his band. He leans heavily towards ballads, but is also known for composing riotous upbeat jazz. Siwel detests the Cotton Club-like “jungle” sound and refuses to go near it. Among other composers of his time, Siwel is the butt of jokes for using strings instead of more winds and brass instruments. Undeterred, Siwel consistently churns out new music at an astonishing rate for the hectic performance schedule at the BJC, including beautiful songs that caress Belle’s voice. The “secret sauce”, as he puts it, is the strings because they reinforce Belle’s overtones. He’s got loads of jazz street creds, but strives for a “finer” expression of atonality a la Arnold Schóenberg, whom he is nuts over. He is also nuts over Belle." |
"Harlem Voices" © Clovice A. Lewis, Jr. 2017 All Rights Reserved.
