Jazz Ode to Michelle Obama

[Lois Gilbert]

The Obama presidency may have sparked controversy in recent months, but the hope and promise it represents for many Americans were plain to hear Tuesday night at the Spertus Institute.

This time, however, the attention was directed not at the president but at the first lady, in the form of an evening-length jazz suite receiving its world premiere. Though some minor flaws need to be addressed, Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell's "Honoring Grace: Michelle Obama" emerged as a significant addition to the rapidly growing oeuvre of Obama jazz epics.

Unlike most of them, this one represented a feminist statement, in that a leading female composer attempted to view Barack Obama's ascent from Michelle Obama's perspective, as well as her own.

At certain junctures in this work, singer Dee Alexander -- assuming Michelle Obama's voice -- cried out: "How could I know?" How could she have anticipated, in other words, that the man she married would become a symbol to millions?...more

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...2841343.column

[Monte Smith]

"A significant addition the the rapidly growing oeuvre of Obama jazz epics."

And I bet it swings. Good Lord.

[Pete C]

" Buoyant swing rhythms, up-tempo backbeats and brightly pitched solos were at the essence of this score,"