Birckhead Tour
Tour & Program Manager: Richard Steighner
Brent Birckhead, an award-winning artist, embodies a dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary styles, transcending genre boundaries with his woodwind artistry and composition. Rooted in a profound reverence for musical legacy and driven by an innate compulsion for creative risk-taking, Birckhead’s artistic journey reflects a visionary approach to life as a rising leader.
His band Birckhead was selected by American Music Abroad to tour through Zimbabwe and Suriname on a public diplomacy tour. Their high energy virtuosic performances ignited crowds across both countries and inspired waves of young people to take a renewed interest in jazz music.
Their tour included large, sold-out shows in addition to workshops with local schools, radio interviews, TV interviews, and public diplomacy events.
A notable event in Zimbabwe occurred when the power suddenly went out mintues before showtime. Desperate efforts by local staff could only get the lobby lights on, so with the help of Butho Nyathi (Public Engagement Officer) and Richard Steighner (Tour Manager), a piano and all the instruments were brought out to the lobby where a raucous crowd gathered and danced to some acoustic, impromptu jazz. Finally when the power returned, everybody flooded the auditorium for an unforgettable show.
October 06 – 15, 2023
Zimbabwe: Harare, Bulowayu
October 24 – 30, 2023
Suriname: Paramaribo
November, 2023
Qatar: Doha *cancelled due to gov’t shutdown
Band:
- Brent Birckhead – woodwinds (sax, flute)
- Noble Levi Jolley Jr. – keys
- Romeir Antonio Mendez – bass
- Tyler Glenn Lead – drums (Zimbabwe)
- Caroll Dasheill – drums (Suriname)
Special thanks:
Butho Nyathi – Public Engagement Coordinator
https://www.brentbirckhead.com/