The Battle of Images Suite a Tribute to Paul Robeson, by Jamaaladeen Tacuma featuring Eboni Strings, Marshall Allen, Rob Zollman and Nazir Ebo

The Battle of Images Suite a Tribute to Paul Robeson

by Jamaaladeen Tacuma featuring Eboni Strings, Marshall Allen, Rob Zollman and Nazir Ebo

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The Battle of Images Suite 25:33

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For Black History Month 2022 Jamaaladeen Tacuma paid tribute to Paul Robeson with a reimagining of his compositions from his 1983 album Renaissance Man in a 2 part series Renaissance Man Reloaded . This album was recorded at WRTI studios in February 2022 during part two of the series and features the Black female led , Philadelphia-based ensemble Eboni Strings; Tacuma on bass guitar and electronics; and Rob Zollman, percussionist/conductor, Drummer Nazir Ebo, and Multi Instrumentalist Marshal Allen. To better understand this work you should first know about the inception of the original 1983 album that was released on Gramavision records. The 1980’s were a formative period for Jamaaladeen and he had just released his first solo project "Showstopper" after working with Ornette Coleman since 1975. Jamaaladeen was touring with Ornette his world had just opened up , he was spending time in Europe for the first time as a young black man and his experiences were not unlike other black musicians that found a new freedom and outlook outside of the USA. He was hanging out watching tv in NYC with his band mate Denardo Coleman , and a PBS special came on about Paul Robeson an American bass baritone concert artist, stage and film actor, professional football player, lawyer, and activist. Jamaaladeen was immediately furious that a Black Historical figure so important to the entire world had been silenced and erased During the McCarthy Era which had lasting affects to this day. Double the injury was the fact that Paul Robeson had been living in Philadelphia Jamaaladeen’s hometown and he might have walked right by his home and had no idea about the great man that lived inside. He began to research and learn more about him and then Jamaaladeen decided to make his 2nd recording project on Gramavision Records a tribute to Paul Robeson wanting to shine a light on a lost African American historical figure that changed the world.

Funding Support
Renaissance Man Reloaded: A tribute to Paul Robeson was supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

From and Interview with Dan Deluca for the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“I went to my record label at the time, Gramavision Records, and I said: ‘Look at this cat. I never knew about this guy before,’ ” recalls Tacuma, 65. ”I mean, goodness gracious, everything he put his hands on, he was unbelievable at. I said, look, I got to do something about this.”-Jamaaladeen Tacuma

credits

released February 3, 2023

The Battle of Images in Seven Movements
for String Quartet, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Woodwinds
Jamaaladeen Tacuma Bass
Eboni Strings
Kathleen Thomas 1st Violin
Alberta Douglas 2nd Violin
Chrysyn Harp Viola
Maura Dwyer Cello
Rob Zollman Timpani and Percussion
Nazir Ebo Drums
Marshall Allen EWI and Alto Saxophone
Produced by Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Associate Producer J. Michael Harrison
Recorded at WRTI Studios by Tyler McClure
Cover Design by Sound Evidence

Audio Mixed and Mastered by Gregg Mann
This Performance was supported in part by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

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Jamaaladeen Tacuma Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"Artist, Producer, AND Bassist -

JAMAALADEEN TACUMA

Jamaaladeen has always stretched the mold of what and how a bassist is supposed to play. He has re-defined his instrument's artistic potential.

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