Juneteenth Weekend Concerts Celebrate Freedom, Creativity, & Collaboration
Rod McGaha, longtime Nashville Jazz Workshop friend, performer, and teacher, showcased a new phase of his career with a pair of Juneteenth weekend concerts titled the "Sound as Liberation Sessions." The performances, described as "built around freedom, family, and the act of creation itself," fully delivered on that promise. Each concert featured music and visual art. Long celebrated as a master trumpeter, Rod developed a parallel career in photography and visual art during a health-related hiatus from playing, leading to prominent exhibitions. His trumpet playing is as superb as ever, and he’s now combining both artistic passions in new and creative ways, this weekend's concerts being a prime example.
For Friday's concert, Rod was joined by drummer Marcus Finnie, keyboardist DeMarco Johnson, and bassist Jay White. The group presented an evening of completely improvised music. Each musician took a turn starting a piece with their own riff, groove, or figure, the others joining in to expand on the sonic canvas. Moods and grooves varied throughout the evening, and between pieces the audience was invited to comment and ask questions. Rod provided a visual backdrop: a slideshow of original art and photography that played throughout the show. The result was an immersive and delightful program.
Saturday's concert was a collaboration between Rod and his son, rapper Mike Floss, and unfolded in three segments. First, Rod was joined again by Marcus and DeMarco, offering creative improvisations in the spirit of the previous evening. Next, Mike Floss presented a short set with DJ True. The highlight was the final segment, when father and son, joined by all the musicians, engaged in both verbal and musical conversation, with themes of freedom, liberation, art, and community at the fore, befitting the Juneteenth celebration.
It was a joy to see and hear artists at the height of their powers, and a delight to witness this new phase of Rod's career. We’re honored that he chose the Nashville Jazz Workshop to present it.