Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Rick Robinson: Draylen Mason Concert 7:30 PM May 30, Jam Handy Bldg., Detroit, MI

Draylen Makes makes 1st down

Rick Robinson writes:

May 15, 2018

Dear Friends,       
 

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, I am very driven to raise awareness of the young bassist killed on March 12 in Austin, TX by a bomb left on his porch. Concealed in an unmarked package, Draylen Williams Mason took it inside hoping for some unexpected gift from a friend. In the kitchen, with his mother nearby, it blew up in his face and all the confidence, talent, kindness and potential of this student musician just starting out, was lost.
 
Yet his story doesn't have to end there.

I've dedicated works to Dray in recent CutTime® concerts, and will continue to do so. But on May 30 (W) at 7:30pm in the Jam Handy Building at 2900 E. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, CutTime Simfonica will launch what will hopefully be a series of free, special concerts we can take all over the country to draw attention to him and infect young students with Dray's determination, focus and generosity.

We will have video projections of many pictures and videos of Dray and his friends, plus poetry tugging at the heartstrings to gorgeous and dramatic music mixed with soul that he might have played someday. We'll also feature local cellist Joshua McClendon, who is heading to Juilliard in the Fall, playing the opening movement of the Haydn 1st Cello Concerto.

Other music includes my elegiac compositions First Grief and Elegy (2009), lighter works such as Ellington's Martin Luther King and my Pork 'n Beans, plus music of Sibelius, Mozart, Bach and others.

We hope you will attend, invite friends to this FREE event with food, and consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the concert via Fractured Atlas. Contributions can also be made to help Dray's family pay medical expenses and house repair.

Street parking along Grand Blvd. will be guarded and the dress code is strictly come-as-you-are.

This event is made possible in part by the Sphinx Organization and by generous donors like you. See you there!


- Rick Robinson (Mr. CutTime)


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