ALLYN JOHNSON & THE SONIC SANCTUARY “THE TRUTH”!
By Aaron Newton
Some say the best things in life are free. On Wednesday, September 25th at 7pm, Allyn Johnson & the Sonic Sanctuary, performed tracks from their new jazz album “The Truth”, in the University of the District of Columbia’s Performance Arts Building, free of charge! Although special performances frequently occur in the buildings Recital Hall, this concert was unique because the main performer, Allyn Johnson, is the Director of the Jazz Studies Program here at the University of the District of Columbia. His ensemble, “The Sonic Sanctuary”, included Romeir Mendez (Bass), Carroll D. Dashiell (Drums), and occasionally Chrissy Dashiell (vocals) harmonized over blues tunes when invited up to the stage by Johnson. Allyn introduced the name and inspiration of every performed track sequentially.
“Seek the Truth” and “Gratification” were the first two songs performed by the trio as audience members smiled and observed in a courteous fascination. Vocalist Chrissy Dashiell was announced to the audience as the sister of drummer Carroll D. Dashiell before vocalizing blues melodies on stage. The mood was groovy and highly appreciated especially by one of the universities music major Vaughn McCants, who deemed the performance “splendid”. “He’s at the top of his game tonight!” said McCants after the performance was concluded.
The was supposed to be made available for spectators to purchase. However, the albums artwork was not completed on time to make the transaction which led to the dismay of many eager to have “The Truth”. One audience member offered to pay in advance before Allyn Johnson replied “I’d rather you keep your money until next week rather than me having to chase you down and find you to provide you your copy. It should be available sometime next week.” Allyn Johnson & the Sonic Sanctuary’s album “The Truth” will be available via Itunes, CdBaby, and at his website www.allynjohnsondivineorder.com in the near future. Go check it out!
HOW JAZZ IMPACTED THE CIVIL RIGHT MOVEMENTS
By Jose Garcia
On Tuesday, September 17th, The University of the District of Columbia hosted the Jazz Forum: Nasar Abadery and SUPERNOVA to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
The event had the participation of jazz musicians: Joe Ford, James King, Allyn Johnson, and John Williams. The musicians share their experiences as jazz musicians during and after the civil rights movements era. They talked about the struggles and conflicts of those times and how jazz music played an important role in their lives and the civil rights movements to make change.
Native Washingtonian and jazz musician, Allyn Johnson said, “The music has to have a purpose in life; we don’t play music just to play. When it comes to jazz I think more of human’s rights, because we are talking about respect of life and freedom.” Johnson also said, “Music has to be urgency about changes in the human’s rights. We lose sense of where the music comes from and that’s spirituality with experiences of life is not about the skills is about the issues that jazz should address like the Trayvon Martin case.”
James King of Houston, Texas, said “Jazz is very African influenced; they brought music with them on the times of slavery even though is not the same type of music but is similar.” He also said “Africans formed their own kind of music based on their ideas and beliefs for changes in life. These guys when through a lot problems and they were steel to make beauty in music because beauty is forever.”
Mass media Junior, Sheyvonne Ramsey, said, “It was a good experience being in the same room with civil rights activists and listen to the experiences that they faced during the era and how jazz played an important role in the civil rights movements. I wanted to learn about the topic and the history of those hard times. I recommend that students attend events like this one because it is always good to learn about history and the civil right movement.”
Trilogy Online 