WQIO Ohio's Super Station
The community is invited to a City of Delaware Black History Month celebration on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Sourcepoint, 800 Cheshire Rd. The free event runs 4-6:30 p.m. The formal program begins at 5 p.m.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Lomax, II, a composer, recording artist, drummer, activist, educator and author. Lomax, a highly sought-after lecturer, specializes in the socio-political and spiritual aspects of African American art, music, and race and using the arts to build community.
There has never been a time in his life, “that music was not a part of me,” Lomax said. Heavily influenced by his father, a pastor, and mother, a composer of gospel music, Lomax was introduced to gospel and jazz at an early age. He continued his study of gospel music with Dr. Raymond Wise, founder of the Center for the Gospel Arts. Lomax completed formal study in composition at The Ohio State University, where he earned a Doctor of Music Arts degree in classical composition and music theory.
Lomax has toured with the Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet and worked with notable artists such as Clark Terry, Marlon Jordan, Azar Lawrence, Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, and Ellis Marsalis. His classical compositions have been performed by the Czech National Symphony, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, The Worthington Chamber Orchestra, the Carpe Diem String Quartet, the Cavani String Quartet, UCelli: The Columbus Cello Quartet, Andrew Brady (bassoonist), and Dr. Louise Toppin (soprano). Jazz Times says Lomax’s “forceful drumming would have made Elvin Jones proud.”
He has also been a resident artist with the Cincinnati Symphony (2019), and Denison University (2017). Lomax released 400: An Afrikan Epic in January 2019. This magnum opus consists of a 12-album cycle, a curriculum, and a documentary that ambitiously tells the story of the Afrikan diaspora. He has presented the 400 nationwide at various colleges, universities, art, and community organizations. Dr. Lomax’s myriad experiences have allowed him to create a unique blend of styles in his music. Whether he’s interpreting the Negro Spiritual through jazz, arranging gospel music for a symphony orchestra, or performing his original works, his music is relevant, probing, and inspiring.
Featured at the event will be select works from Lomax’s performing group, the Mark Lomax Trio.
Hors d’oeuvres from Zade’s Soul Food LLC will be served. Please RSVP for the free event here.
