On the 4th of July I witnessed a near perfect musical collaboration between Detroit and Baltimore. It also marked the first time I shed a tear in almost 10 years.
Here's the shaky original corrected by YouTube version:
http://youtu.be/atzmGRPic34
Damon Gupton, Detroit native, conductor and actor [[The Divide premiering this month) conducted the Stuffings out of the Star Spangled Banner featuring Dije Coxson and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Oregon Ridge Park. It was a near perfect "This is How We Do" collaboration between the two of them outdoors in front of a listed 15,000 people. Girlfriend brought her A-Game.
I had no tripod and nearly forgot the, "Will everybody please rise..." part. Damon went on the flawlessly conduct the rest of the concert, featuring Basso Soloman Howard [[a baaaad dude) in a very personal fashion. In addition to your regular Independence Day fare, the show featured music from Porgy and Bess, a Cuban orchestral piece, an excerpt from Cry the Beloved Country.....and an 18-song medley [[500 bux to whomever guessed every title).
I spoke to Damon both at rehearsal and during intermission and you'd be hard pressed to find a more personable, gracious and humble individual.
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