LIEDership Conversations | Lied Center of Kansas

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Explore “LIEDership Conversations”

We’re excited to share a new video series of conversations between Lied Center staff members and world-renown artists and performing arts leaders.

From members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis about the making of the “Rock Chalk Suite” honoring Kansas Jayhawks basketball legends, to author and producer André Kimo Stone Guess about staying positive and productive during our global crisis, these conversations are engaging, enlightening and educational.

Freddy Gipp—LIEDership Conversation

Freddy Gipp is the founder and CEO of Lead Horse, LLC, and an influencer in Native American affairs. He and Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center of Kansas, talk about Freddy’s Young Professionals Powwows and the way they can help drive economic activity in a community. They also talk about Freddy's multiple initiatives like the “Red Talks” podcast and Indigenous People’s Day forum leading up to the most recent City Commission election. Freddy’s vision and energy contributed greatly to the Lied Center hosting the KU First Nations Student Association Powwow and Indigenous Cultures Festival beginning in 2016.

Freddy also shows off the Dreamstarters blanket he received from the Running Strong Foundation when he accepted the award from Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills. Watch until the end to catch a glimpse of some of the art available for sale on leadhorsellc.com!

See Freddy Gipp’s website for Lead Horse, LLC: https://www.leadhorsellc.com/
Shop at Lead Horse, LLC here: https://www.leadhorsellc.com/shop

Learn more about the Running Strong Foundation: https://indianyouth.org/
Watch Freddy’s full Dreamstarter video here: https://vimeo.com/362077736

Explore the Lied Center’s “Beyond the Stage” videos about past KU Powwows:
https://youtu.be/T0n9KoerTuk
https://youtu.be/bp5jkVmwp3M

Freddy Gipp—LIEDership Conversation

Freddy Gipp is the founder and CEO of Lead Horse, LLC, and an influencer in Native American affairs. He and Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center of Kansas, talk about Freddy’s Young Professionals Powwows and the way they can help drive economic activity in a community. They also talk about Freddy's multiple initiatives like the “Red Talks” podcast and Indigenous People’s Day forum leading up to the most recent City Commission election. Freddy’s vision and energy contributed greatly to the Lied Center hosting the KU First Nations Student Association Powwow and Indigenous Cultures Festival beginning in 2016.

Freddy also shows off the Dreamstarters blanket he received from the Running Strong Foundation when he accepted the award from Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills. Watch until the end to catch a glimpse of some of the art available for sale on leadhorsellc.com!

See Freddy Gipp’s website for Lead Horse, LLC: https://www.leadhorsellc.com/
Shop at Lead Horse, LLC here: https://www.leadhorsellc.com/shop

Learn more about the Running Strong Foundation: https://indianyouth.org/
Watch Freddy’s full Dreamstarter video here: https://vimeo.com/362077736

Explore the Lied Center’s “Beyond the Stage” videos about past KU Powwows:
https://youtu.be/T0n9KoerTuk
https://youtu.be/bp5jkVmwp3M
Dan Nimmer—LIEDership Conversation

Dan Nimmer, pianist and composer with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, chats with Lied Center Executive Director Derek Kwan. They start off talking about Dan's composition, “CB’s Theme”—a movement in the “Rock Chalk Suite” honoring Charlie B. Black—then talk about Dan’s star power in Japan and the multiple albums he has released through Venus Records. Dan’s kids also recently participated in the JLCO’s student blues project. Watch until the end to see an adorable clip of their contribution!

Find Dan Nimmer's albums here: http://www.venusrecord.com/

Order a CD of the "Rock Chalk Suite":
http://lied.ku.edu/rockchalk

or stream the album here:
http://jazz.org/rockchalk
Ashli St. Armant—LIEDership Conversation

Lied Center Engagement/Education Director Anthea Scouffas recounts her professional relationship and personal friendship with musician, educator, playwright and author Ashli St. Armant. They talk about Ashli's 2017 free school-only performances at the Lied Center and her subsequent 2019 Lied Across Kansas tour with accompanist Doug Carter.

After hearing about Ashli’s idea of creating a new work for young audiences about the Underground Railroad, Anthea shared the project with Derek, Lied Center executive director. They were both excited about the work and how it tied so wonderfully to Lawrence—Douglas County history and the Lied Center’s long-standing commitment to presenting work for youth and commissioning new work. So, the Lied Center became the lead commissioning organization for Ashli’s musical called “North.”

Ashli talks about her research into the Underground Railroad and “maroons.” She shares her insights from a visit to a New Orleans sugar plantation and her discovery of ancestors, as well as discussions with Lawrence historians.

Learn more about Ashli St. Armant: http://www.jazzyash.com
Learn more about the Lied Center’s Engagement/Education program: https://lied.ku.edu/engagement
Sara Villagio—LIEDership Conversation

Derek Kwan talks with long-time friend and former co-worker Sara Villagio, chief marketing officer for Carnegie Hall. Sara discusses the ways Carnegie Hall has pivoted to provide engaging online performances and education opportunities. Sara and Derek confirm their mutual philosophy of putting the community and patrons first at a time when access to performing arts is more important than ever.

Sara discusses different avenues by which Carnegie Hall continues to celebrate their long history of energy and creativity. As Jerry Seinfeld said in his recent NY Times op-ed: New York isn’t dead.

Carnegie Hall – https://www.carnegiehall.org/
Live with Carnegie Hall – https://www.carnegiehall.org/Explore/Watch-and-Listen/Live-with-Carnegie-Hall
Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute – https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education
National Youth Ensembles – https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Young-Musicians/National-Youth-Ensembles
NYO Jazz Video featuring Wycliffe Gordon and Sean Jones – https://youtu.be/qLHuPnltphA
Victor Goines—LIEDership Conversations

Lied Center executive director, Derek Kwan, talks with Victor Goines, tenor saxophone, clarinet, composer and arranger with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Victor talks about the way he approached his two compositions for the “Rock Chalk Suite”—“D(efense)-Up: The Untold Story of Darnell Valentine” and the last song of the suite, “The Shot/I’m a Jayhawk" in honor of Mario Chalmers, which ends with the KU Fight Song. He and Derek also discuss recent collaborative efforts of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Jazz Studies program at Northwestern University to create virtual performances and concerts.

As his mother says, "Victor just has to stay busy."

Order a CD of the "Rock Chalk Suite":
http://lied.ku.edu/rockchalk

or stream the album here:
http://jazz.org/rockchalk
Marcus & Riza Printup—LIEDership Conversation

Lied Center executive director, Derek Kwan, talks with Marcus & Riza Printup. He is a trumpet player, composer and arranger with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. She is a world-famous harp player, composer, arranger and educator who founded RiMarcable Music For Arts & Education.

Marcus recounts the thrill of visiting Allen Fieldhouse and researching the life of Jo Jo White for whom he wrote “Jo Jo’s Mojo,” a movement in the Rock Chalk Suite. Riza discusses the need to teach young people how to improvise, play and appreciate jazz and its connection to history.

Learn more about RiMarcable Music For Arts & Education here: https://rmfae.org

Buy Marcus & Riza Printup’s newest album, "Gentle Rain" here: https://www.marcusprintup.net/cds

Order a CD of the "Rock Chalk Suite”: http://lied.ku.edu/rockchalk
or stream the album here: http://jazz.org/rockchalk