Bedlam Theatre

The Mother of Masks is performing at Bedlam Lowertown Friday, November 30th.  The show starts at 7:30pm and is free- with a suggested donation of $5-10.

The Mother of Masks is a new ensemble featuring Louis Alemayehu, Mankwe Ndosi, Donald Washington, Anthony Cox and Davu Seru—big-hearted stalwarts of the Twin Cities jazz, spoken word, improvised music and activist communities. Their debut performance of original compositions and improvisations combines oral poetry and instrumental virtuosity aimed at achieving blue-Black and revelrous pre-future music. Get ready now!

Louis Alemayehu │poetry │Born in Chicago of African and Native heritage, Louis Alemayehu developed his poetic skills and musical sensibilities as a part of the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s. As founding member of the musical group Ancestor Energy, Louis, along with composer/musicians Carei Thomas and David Wright, has been performing in support of African liberation, Native American land rights and spirituality, the battered women’s movement, and human rights for more than 25 years.

Mankwe Ndosi │vocals│ Mankwe Ndosi has been working in the Twin Cities and Chicago for more than 15 years as a musicmaker, performer, educator and culture weaver focused on sound, story, and expanding the vocabulary of singing. She seeks to infuse creative practice back into the worlds of healing, sustainable economic development, education, and new village community building. Her album Science and Spirit was released in the summer of 2012.

Donald Washington │saxophones│ Donald Washington is perhaps best known as the mentor of New York-based saxophonist James Carter, his role as co-leader of the Brad Bellows/Donald

Washington Quartet, for his leadership role in the Capri Big Band, and for his musical collaborations with his family: his wife, the flutist, vocalist and conductor, Faye Washington and his son, drummer Kevin Washington.

Anthony Cox │bass│Anthony Cox is known for his work with several leading musicians including Geri Allen, Dewey Redman, Dave Douglas, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Gary Thomas, Marty Ehrlich, Ed Blackwell, Joe Lovano, and Dave King.

Davu Seru │drums│ Davu Seru works regularly with Milo Fine, Dean Magraw and the bands Merciless Ghost (with saxophonist George Cartwright and bassist Josh Granowski), Take Acre and Joseph Damman’s desert blues-inspired, Body Omara.

Photo credits │left to right│: Louis Alemayehu (by Barry Kleider), Mankwe Ndosi (by Michele Spaise), Donald Washington (by Andrea Carter), Anthony Cox (by John Whiting) and Davu Seru (by John Behm).

LOCATION: Bedlam Theatre Lowertown—213 4th Street East, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101

CONTACT: 612-341-1038