Living Voices | Composer Branford Marsalis
Growing up in the rich environment of New Orleans as the oldest son of pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, Branford was drawn to music along with siblings Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. His first instrument, the clarinet, gave way to the alto and then the tenor and soprano saxophones when the teenage Branford began working in local bands. A growing fascination with jazz as he entered college gave him the basic tools to obtain his first major jobs, with trumpet legend Clark Terry and alongside Wynton in Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers. When the brothers left to form the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the world of uncompromising acoustic jazz was invigorated. Branford formed his own quartet in 1986 and, with a few minor interruptions in the early years, has sustained the unit as his primary means of expression. Known for the telepathic communication among its uncommonly consistent personnel, its deep book of original music replete with expressive melodies and provocative forms, and an unrivaled spirit in both live and recorded performances, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind must be measured.
Living Voices | Author Sonya Bernard-Hollins
Sonya Bernard-Hollins is an award-winning journalist with a passion for African American history that began as a child. The excitement of reading the Jet and Ebony magazines inspired her to become a journalist. That passion, coupled with her professional career in journalism, has led to her publishing books that highlight untold stories that shaped communities.
Hollins, along with her husband, Sean, founded Season Press LLC, a self-publishing consultant firm after the debut of their book, Here I Stand: One City's Musical History. This oral-history driven book highlights the never-before-told stories of artists such as Junior Walker, Wade Flemons, Al Green, and others whose careers began at the El Grotto in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Living Voices | Narrator Von Washington, Jr.
Growing up the son of a college professor and professional actress, Von Washington, Jr. was exposed to love and expertise in written and verbal communication from an early age. Washington is executive director of community relations for The Kalamazoo Promise, where he promotes a common vision of becoming an education community.
Prior to working with the Kalamazoo Promise, Von was an associate-vice president at Southwest Michigan First and concentrated his efforts on business development by partnering with existing regional companies on their job creation efforts. On behalf of the organization, he was also responsible for developing collaborations between educational institutions and businesses in order to best prepare the region’s future workforce.
Living Voices | Pianist Edward Callahan
Edward Callahan left Kalamazoo with a dream of making a name for himself as a classical pianist in New York City. In 2021, he did just that when he ranked #1 on Billboard’s “Traditional Classical Album” charts for his album “Crazy Etudes.” The 2006 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School began piano lessons with Mrs. Billie Netterwald when he was 5 years old. He asked for lessons for his fifth birthday so he could wear a tuxedo and bow to an audience. He lives in New York City where he performs, teaches music to youth, and works toward his dream to perform at Carnegie Hall.
The book, Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall, was written by his parents Sean and Sonya Hollins to inspire him to keep dreaming.
