What They Are Saying About
Phavia Kujichagulia
“Sensation overload, jazz
poet, journey agent, renaissance woman! This scientist of word
and sound sings and swings.”
* Matrix Magazine
“Phavia Kujichagulia is politically and poetically right-on
with a thoughtful feminist, humanist, Afro-American view point
and a dash of humor.”
*Bay Area Music Magazine
“After experiencing Phavia Kujichagulia, you’ll understand
why we’re asking Sanchez, Walker, Angelou, Jordan and the rest
of the heavyweights to move over and make room for another member
of the First Team.”
*Black Culture Magazine
“Talking about Phavia Kujichagulia requires a certain amount
of restraint. It would be easy and entirely appropriate to say
she is a renaissance woman in the tradition of this country’s
first true eclectic, the late Paul Robeson… When she is finished,
onlookers were excited, dazed and glassy-eyed, sure signs of conversion.
In short, it was a typical Kujichagulia performance.”
* San Jose Mercury
“Although influenced by West
African traditions, her performances are firmly rooted in African-American
Classical Music (Jazz).”
* Time Out magazine
“My search for a Spoken Word artist whose work was both meaningful
and imaginative, who used language to describe more than love
lost and found, and who transcended the usual stylistic categories…
Her socially conscious lyrics, song and spoken word moved me,
as did her use of roots, rhythms and her own Jazz cornet excursions.
So did her joyous melding of talents, her own and those of her
band, into a unit.”
*Jazz Now Magazine
“It was Oakland poet and musician Phavia Kujichagulia who
turned out to be the highlight of the event.”
*Golden Gater
THE STORY
OF JAZZ
Phavia Kujichagulia’s performance
piece, The Story of Jazz (African-American Classical Music), is
a musical production about the roots of American music – the oral
history of struggle, pain, freedom and exaltation. Phavia Kujichagulia
is a modern day griot, a wondering minstrel on a mission to teach,
entertain and celebrate our common heritage and humanity. Through
dance, storytelling polyrhythmic drumming and song, she transports
her audiences on a captivating journey across time and space.
And always the music, the songs, the rhythms express the dreams,
the sorrows and joys of the people. Her charm exuberance and artistry
cast a spell on audiences of all ages. And by the end all are
on their feet joining in the joyful sounds. Don’t miss this magical
experience of the human spirit.”
*The Sacramento Bee
“The Story of Jazz performance
piece is more serious in its intent than many groups now producing
gold albums.”
*The Los Angeles Times
“Phavia leads a first rate
ensemble of superb musicians.”
*Sound Choice Magazine
