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Contrapuntal Counterpoints (Experiments in Funk, Soul, and Jazz)

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The second show of the Eldorado Ballroom series, curated by Solange Knowles for Saint Heron and featuring performances by Bilal alongside Cooper-Moore, William Parker, and Michael Wimberly, J*Davey, and Liv.e.

Celebrating the avant-garde pulse of funk, soul, and jazz music that challenges the boundaries of genre, this show immerses itself in the visions of artists who are both architects and alchemists of their sonic realms. With experimental performances by the visionary singer-songwriter Bilal, a reunion by the genre-defying electronic duo J*Davey, and the Dallas-bred luminary Liv.e, the evening unveils a mosaic of creative brilliance. These cutting-edge artists come together to present their innovative contributions, demonstrating their role in pushing music to expanded horizons.

The evening debuts a special and unique improv performance by Grammy Award-winning vocalist Bilal, with multi-instrumentalist and instrument builder Cooper-Moore alongside longtime collaborator William Parker—the legendary free jazz double bassist—and jazz drummer/percussionist Michael Wimberly. The evening bridges the acclaimed history of these genres to contemporary wave-makers by spotlighting the creative singularity that continues to broaden sonic boundaries.

Philadelphia-born songwriter, producer, and vocal acrobat Bilal is a pillar in the neo-soul, R&B, and modern jazz worlds. While growing up in a mixed Christian (mother) and Muslim (father) household, his journey in music began as a choir director in his mother’s church at age 11. Having released four critically acclaimed albums, including 1st Born Second (2001) and its preceding lead single “Soul Sista” (2000), Bilal is both nationally and internationally respected as a once-in-a-lifetime performer and artist with a transcendental skill and panache in shaping new frequencies.

A catalyst in the world of creative music for over 40 years, NYC-based Cooper-Moore’s electrifying expression of restlessly creative music pushes the expanse of sonic territory into untapped, otherworldly senses. He’s a highly revered multi-instrumentalist and performer who’s widened his reach into music education and instrument building/design. By age 12 Cooper-Moore was recruited by community leaders to be his town’s event piano player before soon thereafter performing at church services and community functions. Throughout his long career, he’s collaborated with William Parker, Marc Edwards, Chad Taylor, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Judith Jackson, and more, composed theater music for Rita Dove and Laurie Carlos, among others, and scored movies such as Fireflies in the Abyss and Central Park: The People’s Place. A vital member of numerous orchestras, ensembles, and trios, his style spans classical and free jazz improv with thrilling emotion and self-expression. In 2017, Cooper-Moore received the Lifetime Achievement Award at New York’s Vision Festival.

As J*Davey, vocalist Jack Davey (a.k.a. Brianna Cartwright) and producer Brook D’Leau have amassed a cult following for their paradoxically harmonious dissonance. The self-proclaimed “Black Eurythmics” are known for welding soul, funk, hip-hop, and new wave into intoxicating underground hits that manifested in their acclaimed debut The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost (2008). Since, J*Davey’s consistent sonic experimentation has maintained an influential presence through independently released EPs and albums from Boudoir Synema (2009) and Evil Christian Cop (2011), to New Designer Drug and Pomp (2015).

Born in Dallas, Texas, alternative soul artist Liv.e (pronounced “Liv”) was introduced to music early in life through her family of musicians and the church’s gospel landscape. Drawing inspiration from singers and musicians across R&B/soul and jazz genres, the self-introspection and immersive, futuristic soundscapes that are her signature birthed an ever-growing catalog including her debut album Couldn’t Wait To Tell You… and its follow up Girl in the Half Pearl. In 2024, Liv.e released PAST FUTUR.e, the nonconformist lo-fi synthwave project that demonstrates her boundless range in seven tracks.

The lineup draws the audience’s focus to a broader musical landscape shaped by the innovative technological experiments of Black artists in music production. This performance offers a diverse display of the genre, highlighting how it has transformed sonic preferences.

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