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CONGRATULATIONS IACA CYCLE #30
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, CECILIA SMITH!
Click here to see IACA's other Cycle #30
mini-grant recipient, Justin Bell.
"Over the past 30 years, Cecilia has built a multifaceted career in music as a performer in concert halls, nightclubs and festivals throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and West Africa, as a composer/arranger and teacher."
The following are excerpts from Smith's grant proposal:
I am a 4-mallet JAZZ VIBRAPHONIST and COMPOSER. I have been a professional musician and composer for more than 30 years.
I am also a multimedia artist, which I have been practicing this craft for 14 years (you can see my work at this TEDX TALK: https://youtu.be/dLf-oUwM028).
I am currently working on my 7th CD release. It will feature my research from my MARY LOU WILLIAMS RESURGENCE PROJECT SMALL ENSEMBLE REPERTOIRE. I have been researching the work of Mary Lou Williams since 2000. I received some funding from CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA to record just the small ensemble aspects of my work. The other works consist of BIG BAND and CHOIR works. I'm hoping to receive funding to record those pieces in the future. While I received some funding for this recording, I've had so many surprise expenses that any amount of funding would assist me greatly.
MARY Lou Williams (1910-1981) is the most noted woman jazz pianist. I created the MARY LOU WILLIAMS RESURGENCE PROJECT to help keep her name alive in the minds of jazz enthusiasts. I not only perform MARY LOU's work, I've written new compositions based on her harmonic, melodic and other unique aspects of her work. In the music field of jazz, woman are often overlooked. MARY LOU lived through and contributed to the most creative aspects of jazz. Many musicians hung out at her home in Harlem just to learn from her. My mission is to make sure she is not forgotten!
I will use the grant to pay for the part of the recording studio expenses that I did not count on. Please note that the CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA GRANT did not cover all of my expenses.
There are not many woman playing vibraphone. I've not had the funds needed or the opportunity to record since 2007. This grant would lift some of the financial burden that I've had to take on with making this recording. I would appreciate any funds available through this IACA mini-grant. The funds will be put to good use. Thank you!
You may be the next grant winner! Click here to apply.
There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others.
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association is honored to approve Smith's funding request and we wish her continued success in her creative endeavors.
My unique arrangement of the standard composition - MY FUNNY VALENTINE - I've re-harmonized the chordal structure to bring a new vibe (no pun intended 🤗) to this gem of piece, This shows my use of 4-mallet vibraphone technique and improv skills.
