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.

This is an improvisation performed on Ensemble Pi's 2020 Reparations Now! concert. The piece, a tribute to Elijah McClain, reimagines his final words on earth as his first words in heaven.

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 a live recording of The Dream Unfinished Orchestra's 2019 concert Deep River. 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.

Every building's got issues. When the board has to interview a potential new tenant, things get awkward. It's not that there's anything wrong with him, but after a string of poor approvals, the board's apprehensive about living next to a ventriloquist. Also, an update on that pesky lawsuit. Starring Chris Lamberth, Alicia Goranson, James Bewley, Damian Norfleet, Sophia Mahmud, and Zachary Alexander. Special appearances by Gregory Korostishevsky, Kathryn Kates, Robert Larkin, Keith Mackler, Jasmine Manigualt, and Nigel Dunkley. Produced by O’Reilly & Ferguson, Artisha Mann Cooper and Lauren Rayner Productions