URI gets 'Afro-Semitic Experience' in Multicultural Center

01/29/09 - Three members of the eclectic soul band the Afro-Semitic Experience led their audience in a fully inclusive music workshop last night as a preview of tonight's concert. The show is part of Martin Luther King, Jr. week at the University of Rhode Island.The band tuned and played their instruments softly as they waited for the small audience to appear in the Hardge Forum from the dreary winter weather. Once the audience settled in, Director of the Multicultural Center Melvin Wade addressed the gathering and introduced the band.

As Wade named the musicians, each played a small riff on their instruments as a way to welcome the spectators. One by one they gave a musician's hello to the audience: Baba David Coleman tapped his drums, Warren Byrd played a melodic piano riff and David Chevan jammed on the bass.

Chevan holds a Ph.D. in musicology, Coleman is a Yuroban priest and Byrd is a pianist and composer. The group started as a duo 11 years ago in Connecticut and expanded to six members. The band brings together many musical backgrounds and attempts to bridge cultural gaps. Amy Olson, director of Hillel, requested the three present members to appear after seeing them perform at a similar workshop.

"This is a much less formal event than what is going to happen tomorrow," Chevan said before handing out the band's cache of percussion instruments such as drums, maracas and bells to the audience.

Before the first song began Chevan explained the piece as an invocation to God. The song, Slakah Lanu, began with the bass, then the piano and then percussion. It seemed as though the band created the song as they played.

The spectators clapped to the rhythm. When Coleman gave the signal members of the audience began to slowly play their instruments one after another until all were participating. It started as pure cacophony then blended into a mamba-like melody.

As the piece progressed it seemed as though everyone knew the song and had practiced prior to the event. The song played for about 10 minutes then slowed down to a pause.

The next song, Coleman explained, was an improvised drum circle. He handed his drums over to two students so he could act as composer.

"We have to improvise, which has been done in many villages and plantations," Coleman said to the audience.

He made a beat with his voice and had the audience mimic him to create syncopation. The band's original members began playing.

Like the song before, it started as noise then slowly became music with Coleman dancing.

The music and energy moved faster and stronger until it was brought to a calm tempo then suddenly back to a full swing and ending with another pause.

Coleman had the crowd sing, "No matter what color you're still my brother, no matter what color you're still my sister."

The next song began in a similar way and played concluding the night filling the air with a melodic and sometimes chaotic sound.

After the performance Chevan discussed what tonight's concert will feature. He said the three additional members of the band would appear and engage the crowd in a similar experience.

As the band packed, the audience talked with each other about the night.

"I thought it was really fun. It exceeded my expectations and beyond," said freshman Jamie Brosof. "It was much more involved than I expected."

Chemical engineering professor Michael Greenfield brought his clarinet and performed with the group. "I had read it would be an open jam session so I expected audience participation," Greenfield said.

The band will be performing live tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. Admission is $3 for students and $10 for the general public.

"They will teach you the finer things about music," Wade said.