GINGER COMMODORE: News

Star Tribune review of Black Nativity

Review of Black Nativity
Concert review: 'Nativity' warms spirit like holiday tradition
New director Austene Van has tweaked and deepened the Christmas musical.

By Rohan Preston, Star Tribune

Last update: December 2, 2007 - 8:16 PM

In one of the most touching moments of "Black Nativity," whose 20th anniversary production opened this weekend at St Paul's Penumbra Theatre, Ginger Commodore trills "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" as fleet dancer Alanna Morris performs the role of Mary.

The dance, a solo choreographed by Uri Sands, is one of celebration for Mary, who, after being rejected at the inn while she was pregnant, has given birth anyway and is now reveling in new life.

Commodore's charged a capella singing sets the emotional tone for Morris, who, twirling and falling, spinning and floating, becomes a spirit-filled embodiment of joy.

This tear-tugging turn by Morris and Commodore comes just after the half-way point of "Nativity," which, under new director Austene Van, has been liturgically deepened, with more Pentecostal elements and more dancing, including in the aisles.

In the last 10 years, "Nativity" has moved among different venues (the Fitzgerald and Pantages theaters), styles (including avant-garde jazz) and versions. Several years ago Penumbra jettisoned Langston Hughes' meager script and retained the Christmas songs. Book-writers T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy used the nativity story to frame a contemporary one of a recently widowed matriarch (Greta Oglesby) whose grief is leavened by her returning family of grand singers.

Family coming together around the hearth is not an original story line. But it is what the holidays are all about. And in "Nativity," this is a family gifted with song.

Conducted by Sanford Moore, who has done a jazzy, scatting arrangement of "Silent Night" for Commodore and Thomasina Petrus, this "Nativity" boasts some of the best company of singers that I've seen in its recent history.

When Jamecia Bennett, a singer who puts everything from quavering voice to stomping feet into her performance, starts getting down on "Mary Had a Baby," you can feel yearning and deliverance. (It helps that as she pours her heart into song, Brazilian dancer Marciano Silva dos Santos commits his sinewy body into showing the happiness of Joseph.)

This "Nativity," which also features spotlight moments by Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Aimee K. Bryant, Dennis Spears and Cameron Hughes, is a stirring reminder of the joys of the holidays.

Rohan Preston • 612-673-4390

© 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved

Mpls/St Paul magazine
June 2007
Ginger Commodore CD's at cdbaby
GINGER COMMODORE
GIG: Jazz vocalist
LIVES: Minneapolis

PERFORMING WITH HER HUSBAND, BOBBY: “Every aspect is an advantage. I have a special sense of security when he is behind me on the drum set. We feed off each other and it often boosts the height of the performance.”

ON HER NEW ALBUM, LIVE! AT HOT SUMMER JAZZ: “I love the new album! You always take a chance with a live recording because there are so many things that can affect the outcome. We got lucky, and all of the elements fell into place.”

ODD ONSTAGE MOMENTS: “There have been plenty, like the time I was singing with my eyes closed, a very tender moment, and I opened my eyes to find an audience member standing six inches from my nose.

LISTENING TO: “In the changer [are] Nnenna Freelon, a compilation from George Benson and Al Jarreau, a gospel CD by Richard Smallwood, a Nancy Wilson CD, Rene Marie, and my new CD.”

IN THE WORKS: “I am deciding which songs will go on my next CD, which I anticipate being a tribute to one of my favorite singers. You’ll have to wait to see who it is.”

MOORE BY FOUR: “Sanford [Moore], Dennis [Spears], Connie [Evingson], Yolande [Bruce], and I are currently taking time off as we each work on our own personal projects that our rigorous previous schedules did not allow.”

ADVICE FOR AN ASPRING MUSICIAN: “Have you heard the saying ‘Physician, heal thyself’? Well, ‘Musician, perform thyself.’ Whether you want to sing or play an instrument, be a conductor, a composer, or an entertainer, do it with all of your heart and soul. Learn your craft, nurture it, refine it, protect it, live it, and breathe it.”

BEST ADVICE SHE’S RECEIVED: “Diversify. Explore your options. People will try to label you and put you into one category or another. But you have the ability to cross over the obvious lines and be involved with all kinds of music—all mediums of entertainment and all genres.”

BEST THINGS ABOUT THE TWIN CITIES’ MUSIC SCENE: “Ginger Commodore, Debbie Duncan, Dennis Spears, Bruce Henry, Cynthia Johnson, Patty Peterson, Moore by Four, The Steeles, the Dakota. Need I say more?”

WORST THINGS: “There are not enough local establishments available for performing live music. And musicians are still fighting for fair wages.”

GETTING INSPIRED: “I try to attend as many musical functions as my schedule will allow, locally and nationally. We’ve formed a group of vocalists here in the Twin Cities that gives me inspiration. We call it The Sisterhood, and it includes myself, Debbie, Cynthia, Yolande Bruce, Jevetta Steele, Jearlyn Steele, and Gwen Matthews. A high-maintenance group that keeps me grounded!”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “I have been blessed with so many highlights through the years, it’s impossible to pick one. I have had the pleasure of performing with the most incredible singers and musicians, from locals to nationals, including Roy Hargrove, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Patrice Rushen. I’ve traveled around the world and shared the stage with the likes of Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald. I’ve sung for presidents and other notables. I glow in the response of intimate audience settings and humble myself to the bellow of ‘Bravo!’ from thrilled crowds.”

CATCH HER ACT: June 29. Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Peavey Plaza, 1111 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., gingercommodore.com