Al Strong - Lift Every Voice and Sing (Official Video)

Details

Description

“LEVAS” is trumpet musician Al Strong’s heartfelt arrangement of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the classic hymn also known as the “Negro National Anthem.” 
 
A rich and elaborate 8-minute odyssey, “LEVAS” is a tribute to the Black American experience and a love offering from an artist dedicated to the preservation of Black culture. The inspiration for this undertaking came in early 2020 during a performance by the Al Strong Quartet at Saint Augustine University’s annual CIAA Jazz Brunch. Strong began to superimpose the anthem’s melody over a vamp at the end of an original tune. The band immediately went with the vibe and an arrangement was born. He later went to the studio and began scoring the arrangement, adding a string section for a distinct sound. 
 
As the year went on, Strong’s passion for “LEVAS” was further ignited after the tragic killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the countless calamities of 2020. An only child who spent some years bouncing from shelter to shelter with his father, Strong knows all too well the struggle of Black Americans. Yet it is the optimism of "Lift Every Voice and Sing's" lyrics – [“Out from the gloomy past/‘Til now we stand at last/Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.”] -- that fuels this unique interpretation. 
 
It is in the spirit of hope and triumph that we present to you, “LEVAS.”

Executive Producer/Creative Director
Al Strong

Associate Producer
Lavae McClinnahan

Director/Cinematographer
Chris Charles

Creative Consultants
Saptosa Foster
Jeremy ‘Bean’ Clemons
Chandra Moon of Moona PR

Video Credits
-Modern Dance Choreography-
Alepha Foster, Michelle Moran, Yaqshaan Medan

Featured Artwork by
Candy Carver
 
Marketing
Colure and Diamond Co.

Cast
Modern Dancer - Bria Johnson
Trumpet - Al Strong
Pianist - Charles ‘Chuckey’ Robinson
Violin - Felicia Adizue
Violin - Sophia Gee
Violin - Fiona Adizue
Viola  - Kiarra Truitt
Cello - Marcus Gee
Cello - Dr. Timothy Holley
Piano - Charles ‘Chuckey’ Robinson
Guitar - JC Martin
Saxophone - Bluford Thompson
Bass - William Ledbetter
Drums - Jeremy ‘Bean’ Clemons
 
 Album Credits
 Al Strong - Executive Producer, Arranger/Trumpet
Jeremy ‘Bean’ Clemons - Producer/Mixing
Piano - Charles ‘Chuckey’ Robinson
Saxophone - Bluford Thompson
Bass - Kevin Beardsley
Guitar - Hugh Swaso
Violin - Trevor Wignal
Violin - Autumn Brand
Viola - Mathew Brant
Cello - Kenneth Stewart

Recorded on February 3, 2020 & March 3, 2020
All audio recorded at BreakAlive Studios - Durham, NC
Mastered by Dave Darlington - Two Bass Hit Studios NY,NY
 
Video Extras
Dr. Ira Wiggins
Larry Reni-Thomas
Dr. Nicole Swiner
Tamisha Waden
The Dobbins Family
Dasan Ahanu
Hollins Family
Ta’Miyia Hamilton, Teyanna Hamilton, Ja’Zell Frederick, Jayla McMillan, Taliyah Williams, September Grace, Akirah Ankum, Tiarra Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Van Clark
Zeta Sigma Chapter of KKPsi
Raina Ceasar, Laythin Ceasar, Cataleya Jette

Special Thank You To:
The City of Durham, Hayti Heritage Center, Union Baptist Church, North Carolina Central University-Music Department, Sallie B. Howard School-Dance Department, Branden Williams, Summit Church, Kidznotes Allstars & Abreus Orchestra, Brett Chambers, and all of the artists whose artwork is featured in this project.