Performing

The Collection: Chapter 1 | Mingus Ah Um

The Collection: Chapter 1 | Mingus Ah Um The Collection is an audio essay exploring a son’s journey through his late father’s records—connecting through music and reflecting on its meaning.  Click on the image to listen. Youtube Membership Purchase  

The Collection: Introduction

The Collection: Introduction The Collection is an audio essay exploring a son’s journey through his late father’s records—connecting through music and reflecting on its meaning.  Click on the image to listen. Youtube Membership Purchase          Login MissionTerms

1984

The Collection:Chapter 81984 By Amari Pleasant Share Essays Eeriness is the aura that sweeps out the speakers. A mosaic of anguish illustrated through solemn instrumentation…punctuated by sobering groans, gravely bass strums, moody keys, and grimacing whimpers. 1984 in white font

Monk’s Dream

The Collection:Chapter 9Monk’s Dream By Amari Pleasant Share Essays Over the past weeks, I have gained a great appreciation of the American cultural masterpiece known as Jazz.  My dad’s collection is diverse but has a heavier tilt towards Jazz.  With

Bumpin’

The Collection:Chapter 7Bumpin’ By Amari Pleasant Share Essays A silhouette of a man clinching a cigarette between his fingers on his right hand adorns the dark album cover. A blue glow illuminates his head and smoke rises from his right

Make Way for Dionne Warwick

The Collection:Chapter 6Make Way For Dionne Warwick By Amari Pleasant Share Essays On a chilly night, I relax on the sofa while sipping a mug of warm ginger and turmeric tea. I stare at three images of a stunning stylish

The Collection: Time Out

The Collection:Chapter 5Time Out By Amari Pleasant Share Essays After placing the Super Fly album back on the shelf, I randomly pull another album from the shelf. Instantly, the album cover draws me in with its abstract art, which features

The Collection: Super Fly

The Collection:Chapter 4Super Fly By Amari Pleasant Share Essays The sensation of fondness fills my body as I look at the somewhat worn album cover. Super Fly written in yellow font appears in the bottom left corner of the album

The Collection: Caught Up

The Collection:Chapter 3Caught Up By Amari Pleasant Share LISTEN Essays With my feet resting on a brown ottoman bench, I take a sip of rum from the Glencairn glass that rests between my lips. A familiar smooth but funky beat

The Collection: freeflight

The Collection:Chapter 2freeflight By Amari Pleasant Share LISTEN Essays “Recorded in performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival – admad jamal – freeflight,” my eyes read from top to bottom of the album cover. To the left of these words Admad