Tonight’s Musical Performance: Tamar-kali: Psychochamber Ensemble
Tamar-kali, lead vocals; Lisala Beatty, vocals; Kendra Ross, vocals; Brandee Younger, harp; Juliette Jones, string mistress, first violin; Stephanie Matthews, second violin; Ina Paris-Cabello, viola; Clerida Eltime, cello; Catherine O’Malley, contrabass
Born and raised in Brooklyn, the vocalist and composer Tamar-kali is a second-generation musician with roots in the coastal Sea Islands of South Carolina. The works she composes and arranges for the Psychochamber Ensemble blend the classical music of her Catholic upbringing with the fire of the hard rock she came to love. Her powerful vocals have been featured in the award-winning film Pariah (2011, Focus Films) and in HBO’s recent biopic Bessie, starring Queen Latifah. She has shared the stage with a diverse list of artists, from John Legend and Cassandra Wilson to Me’shell Ndegeocello and Vijay Iyer. She admires the work of Jacob Lawrence for its portrayal of “the strength and fortitude of a people looking to forge a new destiny. As a direct descendant of participants in this journey, I see my work as a living testament to their struggles and dreams.”
Every Thursday in July and August, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Live music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Regular Museum admission applies. Performances take place in the Sculpture Garden. In the event of rain, the Garden will close, and music will take place in Theater 1. Please note: Sculpture Garden and indoor seating are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The musical component of Summer Thursdays 2018 celebrates musicians living and working in New York City. Organized in collaboration with PopRally, the series hosts a variety of sounds that explore the City’s expansive musical landscape. Each evening, unique sonic flavors fill the Sculpture Garden with a range of blended genres such as dream punk, Afrofuturist soul, funk fusion, hip-hop, experimental, and lo-fi baroque pop.
This performance was organized in collaboration with Harlem Stage.