"We Are On The Move Now"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Agnes Flanagan Chapel Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7pm

Jazz Music, Spirituals, and Candlelight Vigil

Performances By

Devin Phillips and New Orleans Straight Ahead
A native of New Orleans, Devin Phillips’ intense affair with the saxophone began at the age of eight. At 14, he was accepted into the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He trained there in music theory and multi-styles composition, and graduated in 2000 with top honors. Phillips formed New Orleans Straight Ahead in 2005, and evacuated to Portland when Hurricane Katrina hit. He reformed New Orleans Straight Ahead here with other musician evacuees. They opened the 2006 Portland Jazz Festival and have been featured on KMHD-FM Jazz radio and in other Northwest festivals. In 2006, the U.S. State Department sponsored Devin & New Orleans Straight Ahead in a cultural tour. Chosen by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the band performed and taught jazz in sub-Sahara Africa.

Sidney Johnson
A Lyric Baritone, Sidney is a native New Yorker. After an international career in concerts and opera he settled in the Pacific Northwest. Sidney holds two master’s degrees, and teaches voice privately and at Multnomah Bible College and Warner Pacific College. He continues to perform in opera and concerts, and is Worship Leader at Milwaukie First Baptist Church.

David Kelly
David came to Portland 27 years ago as artist in residence with the Portland Opera Association. David holds a masters degree in music education and a doctorate in vocal performance from the University of Arizona, and has taught at St. Mary’s Academy, Portland State University, Warner Pacific College, and Lewis & Clark College.

Condry Robbins
CJ Robbins began singing in his church choir as a teen. During his freshmen year of college he sang in, and directed, the Gospel Choir. After transferring to Washington State University he met the members of the Hip-Hop/Soul collective, The Mugicians. While at Washington State, CJ was active in the music department's feature group, Crimson Revue, and the general choir, the University Singers. He is currently in his second year of Law School at Lewis & Clark College. A voice is a gift. CJ sings as thanks and a tribute to the giver of that gift.

Readings From...

“The Purpose of Education” (1948)

“The Time for Freedom Has Come” (1961)

Letter from a Birmingham Jail (1963)

“We are on the Move” (1965)

“A Knock At Midnight” (1967)

“The Drum Major Instinct” (1968)

“I See The Promise Land” (1968)