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MUSIC Rogue Valley performers showcase gospel and soul Craterian Performances' Music Hall celebrates African-American music Comment By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 2, 2016 at 9:00 AM Updated at 12:29 PM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 2, 2016 at 9:00 AM Updated at 12:29 PM » Social News It would be difficult to define the boundaries of African-American music. Most American music stems from African-American roots, says Doug Warner, artistic director of Craterian Performances' Music Hall. For "I Have a Dream: Celebrating African-American Musicians," the newest in Craterian Performances' Music Hall series, Warner zeroed in on a slice of African-American music that includes gospel, soul and funk. "Then we had to zero in on specific artists in those categories," he says. He lists James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Al Green, Otis Redding, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, The Staple Singers, The Pointer Sisters and Gladys Knight among the artists from whom he and his cast drew songs for the new show. "We selected a range of music to match our singers," Warner says. "We've also tried to give this show a specific, vocal harmony feel, more of a gospel choir sound. We're even trying to affect the soul songs with as much gospel as we can." "I Have a Dream" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6, and Feb. 12-13, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. Tickets are $24 and are available at the Craterian box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., online at craterian.org or by calling 541-779-3000. The four singers in the show's ensemble — Bishop Mayfield, Jennifer DePuglia, Jade Chavis Watt and Lisa Yriarte — have performed together as a group in a local church, Warner says. "They've harmonized together many times, and they have a great blend," he says. "They're also familiar with gospel and soul, as is the supporting band." The band members, directed by keyboard player Don Harriss, include guitarist Jack Hopfinger, bassist Donnie Yance, sax player Tony Hayes, trumpet player David Hubert and drummer David Bolen. "What I'm trying to do with the Music Hall events is give each a different feel," Warner says. "The selected themes dictate what music to select, what band members and performers to choose. When I thought of the theme, 'I Have a Dream,' it felt like the idea was that we acknowledge the good things about all of us, specifically the contributions of African-American performing artists, songwriters and musicians." After coming up with the idea, Warner moved toward the foundation of the show — gospel, specifically black gospel. "Then we went with some soul music," he says. "If you look at Al Green's career, he became a pastor while he continued his recording career. Aretha Franklin began her career singing gospel as a child in her father's church. These artists exemplify the connection between gospel and soul. "Soul is a natural progression of gospel. It has all of the same elements in that it's sung from the heart, and funk is a celebration of all the polyrhythms found in American music. Some of the most complex rhythms are in funk music." Look for the four-part harmonies on Robinson's "Ooo Baby Baby," Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" and John Newton's "Amazing Grace," Mayfield's lead vocal on Brown's "I Feel Good," DePuglia's vocals on Green's "Let's Stay Together," Yriarte on "Midnight Train to Georgia" and the voices of DePuglia, Yriarte and Watt on The Pointer Sisters' "Yes We Can Can." "The show will be more like hearing a vocal harmony group like the Temptations or The Four Tops," Warner says. "And they're going to knock it out of the park." By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 2, 2016 at 9:00 AM Updated at 12:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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