Dear Mrs. Parks
"...Lokumbe made his reputation as a trumpeter in progressive jazz circles in the '70s, but since 1990 he's become known as a composer of large orchestral works on African-American themes. "Dear Mrs. Parks" is steeped in African and African-American idioms, from the prayerful melodic contours of spirituals and work songs to call-and-response strategies drawn from blues and jazz and an extended timpani solo -- brilliantly improvised by Brian Jones -- and played over a half-dozen other drums that suggest a tribal ceremony.
The work unfolds in cresting choral passages, simple but effective orchestration and vocal soloists who adopt various personas. Lokumbe's text is bathed in mysticism and hope. Wilkins leads a strong, enthusiastic performance and the soloists and chorus -- soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme, mezzo-soprano Jevetta Steele, bass Kevin Deas, children soprano Taylor Gardner and the combined Rackham Symphony Choir and Brazeal Dennard Chorale -- all sing with distinction."
~Detroit Free Press, Mark Stryker, December 6, 2009
