The University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Kiesler, performs Nkeiru Okoye’s Invitation To A Die-In, a sung story, written in direct musical response to recent murders of unarmed Black men at the hands of police officers or vigilantes. Interdisciplinary performer-composer-improviser Damian Norfleet, for whom the piece was written, performs the original text by David Cote. This live audio recording is from a performance at the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

This performance is presented live in Roulette's theater in Downtown Brooklyn. Roulette’s mission is to support artists creating new and adventurous art in all disciplines by providing them with a venue and resources to realize their creative visions and to build an audience interested in the evolution of experimental art. Enjoy what you see? Please 'like' this video and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Every 'like' and subscribe helps us continue to provide high quality, accessible content. Thank you so much for your support. View our full calendar of events: https://roulette.org/calendar/ Support us here: https://roulette.org/support/ __________ https://roulette.org/event/george-lewis-hearing-voices/ These recent works by George Lewis for solo instrument, small ensembles and voice, with texts by some of the most audacious literary figures of our time – Fred Moten, Lyn Hejinian, and Sylvia Wynter – are part of the composer’s ongoing exploration of what decolonization might sound like. Performed by International Contemporary Ensemble Melodies for Miles (2022): Violin solo a whispered nine (2019): soprano, flute, guitar, viola, percussion Apis (2019): Baritone, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet in B-Flat, Trumpet in C, Trombone H.narrans (2020 / US Premiere): Voice (contralto), Clarinet/Bass Clarinet in B-Flat, Trumpet in C, Percussion, violin, double bass Creative Construction SetTM (2015): Open instrumentation

This is a preview of composer/pianist Courtney Bryan’s Blessed (Online debut 2021, Cinematic debut 2022). The piece is a multi-layered exploration of darkness and light, hope and love, weaving together musical recordings and film footage from New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia (shot by filmmaker/artist Tiona Nekkia McClodden. Created as a response to the milestone events of 2020—the uprising in response to police brutality against Black men and women, the November election—Blessed reflects upon the Christian Bible’s avowal that the meek will one day “inherit the earth.” The score was created with both written and improvised music, and Damian Norfleet also provided improvisation on vocals and texts.

Here's a clip of my appearance on the television show Pandora's Box: Unleashing Evil. I played a serial killer named Henry Jones.

Every building in New York City has issues. But when an exotic pet reaches maximum capacity, the board is forced to realize that the old phrase "know thy neighbor" didn't consider how gross some neighbors are. Also, a pending lawsuits threatens to bankrupt the whole building, can the board work together? Likely not. Starring Phoebe Robinson, Chris Lamberth, Marcia Debonis, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Damian Norfleet, Zachary Alexander and Jeremiah Minh Grunblatt. Produced by O’Reilly & Ferguson, Artisha Mann Cooper and Lauren Rayner Productions

Excerpts from composer Jeff Scott's settings of two Pablo Naruda's poems— "La Noche en Isla Negra" and "Las Viejas del Océano"—arranged for vocalist Damian Norfleet. They were performed and recorded live on July 11, 2019 at the Society for Ethical Culture in New York City during the Dream Unfinished Orchestra's Deep River concert . TDU is an activist orchestra, and the concert featured works by composers hailing from communities impacted by climate change and other environmental issues, which included Laura Kaminsky, Roberto Sierra, Harry Burleigh, and new orchestrations of works by Trevor Weston, Jeff Scott of the Imani Winds, and Zenobia Powell Perry. Guest artists included baritone Damian Norfleet, concertmaster Kelly Hall-Tompkins, and conductor Vimbayi Kaziboni. Speakers included Commissioner Mitchell Silver of the NYC Parks Department and Leslie Velasquez of El Puente de Williamsburg, who will provide local and global perspectives on climate justice. Hosted by Terrance McKnight.