AMINA CLAUDINE MYERS SALON FEAT. ANDREW CYRILLE - ARTS FOR ART, nyc, JAN 7

• photography by ©Clara Pereira / text by Filipe Freitas

An Arts For Art’s special salon with 2020 Vision Festival Lifetime Achievement recipient, Amina Claudine Myers, was held on January 7th at David Gage String Instruments, a pleasant emblematic store located in downtown Manhattan. Prior to the honoree’s solo piano performance, which may be described as a candid combination of gospel, African-tinged spells, and avant-garde jazz, there was a solo drum set presentation by Andrew Cyrille, the last year’s recipient of the aforementioned award. The drummer recalled some funny situations that happened in the 1960’s when he was touring North America with Amina and late violinist Leroy Jenkins, and then stunned everybody with an incredible take on Myers’ animated hit “Jumping In The Sugar Bowl”. He pronounced it with the uniqueness and crispness of his famed percussive expressions.

Amina’s interpretation of the gospel tune “Call Him, He’ll Be There” concluded the musical program, which was followed by an interview hosted by legendary saxophonist Henry Threadgill. Ms. Myers talked about her musical path, from her native Arkansas to Chicago, where she became an AACM member in 1966 and performed with saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons, to New York, where the collaborations were extended to Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Threadgill, Jenkins, and Charlie Haden, among others. Great musical vibe among warm people.