This Friday, January 10th at 7:30 PM, The Musicians of Mercy, will present an evening of live music – Celebrating a Life of Love – in Baltimore City to benefit the American Heart Association. The event will feature violinist Odin Rathnam, composer and pianist Dr. Judah Adashi, and singer/songwriter Macheesté Malloy.
Jeffry Newberger will be conducting the orchestra. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Carlos Coleman.
I asked Dr. Judah Adashi and Macheesté Malloy to talk about what they will be performing and why they enjoy performing with Musicans of Mercy and working with MOM founder Robin Fay Massie-Pighee.
What will you be performing at the MOM benefit this Friday night, and why did you select it for this concert?
Dr. Adashi: Robin and [her husband] Arron were kind enough to attend a recent premiere of mine, a commission from the Walters Art Museum entitled Inner City. The piece, for piano and pre-recorded audio, is a kind of love song to my hometown of Baltimore, and they invited me to reprise it on January 10th.
Mr. Malloy: I will be performing 4 songs from my debut CD Redemption on Friday night. The song “Though He Slay Me” will be performed with the MOM reduced orchestra which I am EXTREMELY excited about. It’s an encouraging anthem that describes how tough times are only temporary and if you trust in a higher power you can get through any struggle (this happens to be one of Robin’s favorites on the CD).
Another song will be “Heaven Can’t Wait,” which was written after a conversation with my grandmother just before she passed away. The song is so personal for me, but I wanted to share it because it deals with losing a loved one from the view point that they had to leave because Heaven needed a special angel, and they couldn’t keep Heaven waiting.
Could you give us a little background on your musical career?
Dr, Adashi: I am a composer and pianist based in Baltimore. I teach composition and music theory at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and I direct the Evolution Contemporary Music Series, a concert series dedicated to the music of living composers.
Mr. Malloy: I started singing at around 6 in my church choir in New York.
I moved to MD as a teen and continued singing in Local groups and eventually began doing studio and live background vocals for several local and national recording artists. My debut CD was just released in September 2013 and is available on Itunes, Amazon, and Google Play. I will have some for sale at the event as well. I was blessed to have written 13 of the 14 songs on the project.
When was your first contact with MOM?
Dr. Adashi: I participated in MOM’s January 2013 event, -a benefit for the Sandy Hook School Fund presented shortly after the Newtown school shooting.
Mr. Malloy: My first contact with MOM was at an event I attended to support a fellow artist/friend. That particular event was to benefit FIRN and was centered around the awareness of domestic violence. I was so touched by the event that I approached Robin to find out how I could share and become a part. And so far I’ve been involved in four events.
What are your thoughts on Robin and the communities she touches through MOM?
Dr. Adashi: Robin is a gift, a devoted musician with a big heart and a generous spirit. We share a belief in the vital connection between art and community engagement. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with her and with MOM, and we’re very fortunate to have both here in our city.
Mr. Malloy: Robin is one of the most positive energetic souls I’ve ever met! When you’re around her you can’t help but be happy! Everything she does with MOM is from a place of love and showing the Baltimore community the power of music and oneness. She introduces diversity to the Baltimore community and surrounding areas with every event. I absolutely LOVE her!
From Robin Fay Massie-Pighee:
“On January 10, 2014, from 7:30-9:30 PM, we will rock out in our 23rd performance, this time, to benefit the American Heart Association!
Musicians of Mercy (MOM) recently lost one of its most loyal supporters to heart disease. Carlos Coleman, aspiring chef, beloved by many, was only 34 years-young. This concert is dedicated to his memory.
Carlos was one of our biggest supporters! He attended nearly all of our events, especially those during which his girlfriend, Rachel Winder performed. She herself, a very talented young saxophonist, is like our little sister. She will be in attendance.
Carlos was the kind of man who could walk into the room and make everyone smile. He was loyal, almost to a fault. He gave the best bear hugs. He was an aspiring chef who warmed the heart and tummy!
People knew him around Midtown Baltimore as a regular at some of the pubs. He could talk to anyone. He was like an open book too; wore his heart on his sleeve.
Celebrating a Life of Love will feature our friends Odin Rathnam – Violinist Odin Rathnam – composer/pianist Judah Adashi, vocalist Macheesté Malloy and the Musicians of Mercy Orchestra led by Jeffry Newberger!
The benefit will take place at Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – 233 North Charles Street, in Baltimore, MD. Please join us!”
