KMFA Classical continues its 2023 Offbeat Concert Series with CLOSE TO HOME with Daniel Fears.
Close to Home is an intimate performance that reimagines works by Austin-based R&B artist Daniel Fears for a classical chamber ensemble with arrangements by a diverse cast of local and international composers including Mobley, Anthony R. Greene, and Nate Laningham.
“Keep On,” is the first in a series of songs arranged for a quintet of strings, classical guitar and three voices. It was originally released in May of 2022 and caught Laningham’s attention. Nate approached Daniel with the idea of arranging the song for a string ensemble. Daniel, who began his musical career as a conservatory trained trombone player (earning a Bachelor’s from University of Texas and a Graduate degree from Yale), was immediately drawn to the idea. However, he had some reservations. “In music school at Yale I was one of five black classical musicians,” Daniel says. “I spent a lot of time feeling like I didn’t fit into that world, like I always had to ask for permission to be there. It wasn’t until I started creating R&B, soul, and popular music that I began developing my own voice and learning how to take up more space.”
Together, the two collaborators developed a plan to reconcile the two worlds–bringing Daniel’s R&B songs into the classical space. They’d do it with an ensemble of musicians of color and a diverse gathering of composers. Each song would be unique, with each composer bringing their own perspective, taste and lived experience to the project. The full performance on April 8th will be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the Austin music community and create common ground between Austin’s classical and contemporary music lovers.
The Offbeat Series highlights ensembles contributing to Austin’s vibrant contemporary classical music scene using KMFA’s beautiful Draylen Mason Music Studio. Through the Offbeat Series, KMFA hopes to reach not only existing fans, but also cultivate a new audience for these exciting contemporary works.
More information and links to purchase tickets can be found at kmfa.org/offbeat.