Producer, Brendez Wineglass will be coordinating the creation of a 2 to 3 minute work sample of Omar Edwards & Exquisite Chill for submission to booking agents and music festivals . 

The work sample should include excerpts of two original compositions and one familiar tune. 
Each tune should segue into the next.

Project Outline
- Omar shares his idea/concept for the composition directly with the musicians and ultimately the project coordinator.
- The project coordinator will provide any assistance required in order to facilitate project completion.
- Musicians will record their sections/tracks based on Omar's directives and the audio/visual instructions to be provided by the project coordinator (based on her conversations with the entire creative team.
- Musicians will deliver tracks to project coordinator who will then send it to both an engineer (sound mix) and an editor (visuals).
- Once approved by Omar, the final product will be distributed to booking agents and festivals.

Timeline: two weeks (beginning Monday - May 18, 2020)
Submission Date: Monday, June 9am



EPK in the WORKS

Current Collaborative Project (Gum Boot meets Tap) 
Freedom Tap Studios NYC presents a collaborative work created by Mfon Akpan, Omar Edwards and dancers as part of their AFRO FEET virtual online programming.  2 to 3 minute Gum Boot meets Tap choreography via ZOOM Rehearsals. The work will be presented on Friday, June 19th via InstaGram and other online platforms in honor of Juneteenth Celebration.

Freedom Tap Studios NYC @freedomtapstudiosnyc
Mfon Akpan (Gum Boot)  & Omar Edwards (Tap) 
@kokoma22
@omar_edwards7

Dancers:  
- Mia Brice (2020 George Mason grad) 
@miacbrice
- Tanasia Lane (H-U sophomore) 
@taaa.layyy
- Sadiyah Stephens (Boston Conservatory at Berklee freshman) 
@s.j.stephens
- Imani Diaz (University at Buffalo senior) 
@imaniisade
- Aeisha Cousins (AMDA Conservatory of the Performing Arts - LA)
@therealaeisha
- Nia Davis (George Mason junior)
@nia.davis_

Production Schedule

ZOOM
Thurs May 28 7pm Meeting (Mfon & Omar) 
Fri May 29: 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm  (Omar & Dancers)

Tues June 2: 7pm to 8:00 pm  (Mfon & Dancers)
Fri June 5: 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm  (Omar & Dancers)

Tues June 9: 7pm to 8:00 pm (Mfon, Omar & Dancers)
Fri June 12: 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm  (Omar & Dancers)
Fri June 12: 6:30 pm to 7pm  (Mfon & Dancers)

Tues June 16: 7pm to 8:00 pm (Mfon, Omar & Dancers)

OFFLINE
Start shooting and submit raw footage by Thursday June 18th at 10am
Release Friday June 19th for Juneteenth 

Contact: freedomtapstudiosnyc@gmail.com
Producer: kerriedge@gmail.com

Creative Meeting Agenda
What is the message?
How is it relayed?
What do we wear?
What audio/visual tech is needed?

Proposed Ideas: 

Concepts captured in project (not depicting  a story but, embracing):
Secret Codes
Alternatives to Drums
Restricted Communications
No Instruments allowed


               


ZOOM COLLAB: Omar Edwards of "Exquisite Chill,  Mfon Akpan  of "Step Afrika" & dancers 

Sadiyah Stephens shares her approach to performance in the "Let Freedom Ring" project. The young artists, sent home from college due to the COVID-19 pandemic, transforms American Sign Language foundations into an artistic expression of the lyrics "Let Freedom Ring" written by @davidsincereaiken, conceived & danced by foot musician Omar Edwards @freedomstudiosNYC .   Let Freedom Ring is part of a Distant Learning program presented at MS355, PS40, and IS59 by A Better Jamaica, Inc. with funding provided in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs awarded by Council Members Adrienne Adams (CD28), I. Daneek Miller (CD27) and Donovan Richards (CD31).

The teaching artists and students worked remotely to create the music, images and message. The sign language featured in the music video is self  explored by students who have opted t o research the art of American Sign Language and is not intended to be an exact interpretation.

Omar Edwards (taps)
David Sincere (vocals)
Sadiyah Stephens (ASL)
Shaine Wilson (bass)
Kid Cus Stephens (engineer)
DJ Tam Jams (dj)
produced by Kerri Edge

LET FREEDOM RING

LIVE RECORDINGS "TAP DANCIN' IS MUSIC" AND "GROOVY GRAVY" FEATURING OMAR EDWARDS AND A COLLECTION OF MUSICIANS (SHAINE WILSON - BASS, WAHKIBA - DRUMS, JARRED BARNES - KEYS, MAC COLLEHAN - TRUMPET). 

DISCOGRAPHY

A virtual habitat where aspiring, emerging and professional artists have the power to create, act, speak and think without hindrance.  Artists who are individually or collectively developing works that embrace and exhibit the true origin, meaning and nature of American arts and culture share livestreams, short films, playlists, interviews, rehearsals and performances of both released and WIP projects are shared with the intent of staying connected with students during COVID1-19, garnering project support, building new audiences and providing financial assistance to working artist as they continue to create content that is essential for all people.  

The virtual habitat is open to the public with direct programming presented directly to students at PS40, MS356, IS59 as part of a Cultural Distant Learning Adventures presented by A Better Jamaica, Inc. with funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs awarded by Council Members I Daneek Miller (CD27), Donovan Richards (CD28) and Adrienne Adams (CD31).  Students of PAWS Child Care, Community Youth and Child Care Services, SCAN of New York, Medgar Evers College and the Edge School of the Arts are also encouraged to participate in FTS-NYC activities with support from their host organizations. Students are given access to learning activities including private and group lessons in Tap, Ballet, Musical Theater, Piano, Jazz Music Appreciation and Hip Hop.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqnmiLRHJnWssqnlkLDI_ig/about 
BECOME A PATRON at:  
https://www.patreon.com/FreedomTapStudiosNYC

FREEDOM TAP STUDIOS NYC

REFORM LIVE (Creative Director, Leading Artist)  is a timely and compelling new visual and performing arts theater project. The 60-minute work meshes insightful storytelling that traces the plight of a handful of African American males within the criminal justice system throughout the United States with urban political music, tap dance, poetry and provocative visual film footage. The four lead characters are portrayed by cast members of Broadway’s late 90’s hit “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk”, Omar Edwards, Jason Samuels Smith, Baakari Wilder and Abron Glover who tell stories of incarceration with the penal system, recaptured in several poignant scenes that fuse emotionally gripping monologues with inspired dance rhythms and spirited musical accents.

4 LITTLE GIRLS: A DANCE FILM (Creative Director, Lead Artist) is an exuberant dance performance by the Edge School of the Arts (ESOTA) with special appearance by Omar Edwards and his youth ensemble of aspiring foot musicians, A·Tone·Meant , set to an experimental documentary film that infuses historical authenticity and contemporary dance choreographed to spoken word and 60’s protest songs to recant the horrific story of the four young black girls murdered in the Alabama
church bombing in 1963.  This inspirational program combines the art of dance and the moving image to address the trials and tribulations endured by African American communities, with the intent of promoting cross-cultural and cross-generational dialogue. Edwards weaves in and out of the story channeling Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through tap performances of “The Letter From Birmingham Jail” set to the music of Chatham County Line , “I Have A Dream”  set to an excerpt of the famous speech and “Caged Bird” set to Maya Angelou’s poem.

ELYSIAN (Creative Director, Lead Artist) - Film, Interpretation: A visitor to the Parrish Art Museum reacts to the work of visual artist, Alexis Rockman entitled  "The Cuyahoga River" - the apocalyptic history leading to the legendary fire that erupted in 1969 on its severely polluted water. Recorded to continue the galvanizing of support for change and to highlight the work of artists Alexis Rockman & MAYA LIN: BAY, POND, & HARBOR (LONG ISLAND TRIPTYCH). Both works are on exhibit at the Parrish Art Museum in Watermill, NY. (Feb 2020)







CO-DIRECTION & ART-TIVISM

An ensemble of young aspiring foot musicians devoted to exploring the authenticity of the art of tap; building their foundation and skills; and promoting tap as an American folk art of sound through practice and repertory sharing.
Repertoire includes Maradona set the the music of Niniola (African Roots);  I Have a Dream (Shim Sham & storytelling); Let Freedom Ring (poetry, melody & language); and Fela Kuti Remix (Afro Cuban Jazz).

A-Tone-Meant

ART-DRIVEN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE COMMUNITY AUDIENCES IN PUBLIC SPACES 

Community Engagement

“TAP DANCIN” is MUSIC is an on-going education initiative to promote tap as an American Folk art of sound and to ensure its legacy using short films, workshops, lecture demonstrations, and a variety of community engagement activities to drive the mission.


"Tap Dancin" is Music

The HEALING POWER of Tap is a series of workshops, performances and short films developed to support emotional healing through art & creative expression. A small of artists including a vocalist, poet and musician are lead by foot musician Omar Edwards in a series of short pieces of performance art designed to have a meditative and long lasting effect on the audience. The work is a guided mediation engages the audience and is divided into two sections - Reflection and Resolution, and is set to recorded music described by Edwards as ‘binary music and relaxing sounds for study, meditation and yoga’.  The scenes are set in a confined area of the performance space in order to create a feeling of solitude while providing a pathway for meditation and thought through tap, poetry, song and music. Healing Power is presented in schools, residencies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, senior homes, prisons and performance venues with adaptations to both the presentation and following arts activities that are tailored for the needs of the specified audience. 


The Healing Power of Tap

Currently in development, the WIP connects the art of tap with its West African and Jazz origins. 

Afro Feet is an exploration of the African Diasporic imprint on American arts & culture conceived, directed and conducted by foot musician, Omar Edwards. The work combines elements of the all American jazz band with instruments indigenous of both continents providing insight into the true origin, meaning and nature of jazz across time, space and cultural misconceptions. The integration of African, American, European and Latin jazz elements fuse together to create an imaginative soundtrack for 5 to 7 tap compositions that collectively exhibit and promote tap as an American Folk Art of movement and sound.  The end result are both live and recorded music performance(s). 

The concept for the project was sparked at a recent performance at the Hampton United Methodist Church in Southampton.  The event was presented by the church as part of their annual Black History Month Celebration and Tour which [this year] included Mr. Edwards, his youth ensemble of aspiring foot musicians -  A-Tone-Meant and tour pioneers - students of the Edge School of the Arts. The event was made possible with additional support from Kerri Edge, Michael Daly & John 'Slim' Pickens and included musicians collected by Claes Brondal of Jam Session, Inc. (drums), Greg Lewis (organ), Eric Schugren (sax),  Atiba Morales (djembe), and Anthony Godineaux (djun djun). 

The work samples attached to this project page show examples of work that embraces the overall concept of the WIP.

Samples have been tentatively titled:

- The Spirit
- The Pulse
- The Root

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Omar Edwards