The Winard Harper Sextet

Trumpet

Drums and Percussion

The Winard Harper

Sextet

Take Six! Almost twelve years ago, percussionist (drummer) Winard Harper brought together a group of talented jazz musicians. Known as the Winard Harper Sextet, the six performers include Mr. Harper, pianist TW Sample, bassist Ameen Saleem, percussionist Alioun Faye, trumpeter Josh Evans, and Lawrence Clark on tenor saxophone.

At the Kennedy Center, you will hear them perform four pieces: “Amazing Grace,” “Moanin’,” “Prayer,” and “Float Like a Butterfly.” The group will “speak” to one another—and to you—through a variety of jazz styles, improvisation, and skillful use of their instruments.

Bass

Tenor Saxophone

Ask Away!

Piano

Here’s your chance to ask about anything you’d like to know about jazz.

The Sextet loves to perform jazz—they also like to explain jazz, too. Prepare some questions beforehand and don’t be shy. Questions from the audience can lead to great discussions.

An Amazing Song History Have you ever wondered how certain songs remain part of popular culture for so long? “Amazing Grace” is a hymn that was written more than 200 years ago. Over the years, the melody has changed and been woven into gospel music performed by many singers. In the 1960s, folk singers began reshaping it, later passing it along to the artists of today. Why do you suppose “Amazing Grace” has had such lasting appeal?

Mr. Harper explains what has inspired his version of the song: “Anybody who knows us, knows there’s a big, big spiritual influence in our music. It’s innate in jazz anyway, but we look to take it even further. If there are things we find that are universal, that say the same thing to any culture, then we implement them.”

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During the performance: Listen for the melody as the Sextet plays “Amazing Grace.” Which instrument plays it first? Does the rhythm change? How does the music make you feel?

Jazz…with African Instruments Balafon

Adapting Music hen not creating new songs, jazz musicians often take familiar songs and adapt or arrange them to suit their musical ideas and group. This makes listening to jazz tunes a unique experience every time.

The Sextet uses African and Western instruments to create their “sound”— ranging from blues melodies to explosions of complex rhythms.

W Djembe

The Bandleader Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Winard Harper has been playing percussion instruments since the age of five. By his late twenties, he had become a successful performer and bandleader, playing with some of the greatest jazz musicians around.

When asked about jazz training, Mr. Harper said: “Years ago, young musicians learned jazz just by playing with different groups, or going to jam sessions. That’s still one of the best ways to learn the music. You practice as much as possible.”

You will see and hear:

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Stephen A. Schwarzman Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education Editorial and Art Director: Michael Warchol Writer: Judith Levin Designer: Carla Badaracco

Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, a program of the Kennedy Center Education Department and a member of the MarcoPolo Consortium. © 2006,The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The U.S. Department of Education supports approximately one-third of the budget for the Kennedy Center Education Department. The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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The balafon—a percussive and melodic instrument played by striking its wooden keys with mallets. The keys are arranged according to length (and pitch)— longest to shortest. Gourds are placed beneath the keys to increase its sound. Listen for the balafon during “Prayer.”

The djembe—handmade drum used for creating rhythms.

Its base is carved of hardwood, covered with animal skin, and held in place with a braided rope.

It is played with the hands.

Invent!

Traditional African instruments are created with resources from the Earth. Draw a diagram of a new percussion instrument made of materials found in your neighborhood.

Winard Harper

Paradiddle Trained percussionists learn a series of drum-stroke patterns.

Try your skill at one pattern called the paradiddle. Using one pencil in each hand, tap out the following pattern: R-L-R-R, L-R-L-L. Start slowly, keep repeating, then build up speed.