Bandleader Michelle May commissioned three up-and-coming artists to write songs for Musique Noire. Pianist Brendon Davis, harpist Ahya Simone and singer/songwriter/guitarist/violinist Alex Way composed and produced pieces that reflect their power as women or women whom they admire or have been influenced by.
Album Concept: Michelle May
Dedicated in Memory of Mary Ella Walton May,
Gabriel Cornier-Bridgeforth and Kemba N'Namdi
who left intergenerational legacies through their artistry and spirit
Executive Producers:
Michelle May for Ann Vincent Productions
Winfred Robinson (Indigogo campaign donor)
To everyone who contributed to our Indigogo crowdfunding campaign for this project: THANK YOU!
Recorded and Mixed: The Audio Cafe, Eastpointe, MI and Tempermill Studios, Ferndale, MI
Engineers: Erik Maluchnik (Track 1), Tom Rice (Track 2-7).
Mastered By: Sean Owens, Lounge Fidelity - Chicago, IL
Art Direction and Design: Michelle May
Photography: Jeff Cross (photos of Musique Noire), Jeff Dunn (photo of Brendon Davis), Richard Wexler (photo of Ahya Simone)
Aaron Amos (photo of Alex Way)
Musique Noire was formed in 2005; the group's members are veteran players nationally and internationally. Led by violinist
Michelle May, the group produces a sophisticated sound showcasing unique arrangements of world fusion music using strings and percussion. Members: Leslie Deshazor on viola, Leah Celebi on violin and viola and JoVia Armstrong on percussion...more
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