Oakland Symphony Let Us Break Bread Concert, Kedrick Armstrong, director

"Let Us Break Bread Together, A Tribute to the Legends of Disco!" at the Paramount Theatre, downtown Oakland, is a seasonal favorite in the Bay Area. This tradition is one founded by the late Maestro, Michael Morgan, and is just one of his multiple legacies that changed the face of classical music not just here, but throughout the country and world. Oakland Symphony has partnered with DJ Spooky to revisit "Birth of a Nation," poet devorah major, Oaktown Jazz Workshop for side-by-side concerts, musicians in Central Africa, and special guest curators who would create a Playlist for the evening. Oakland Symphony, to borrow language from the Black Panther Party, is music for the people. 

It's not surprising that what used to be a celebration of Negro Spirituals is now a big holiday party. Though things evolve, I enjoyed those sing-a-longs. Lots of older Black people would attend. One of my friends who is 101 in February used to attend with me. We were at the first concert when Morgan's parents were in the audience. 

It was cool listening to the harmonies echoing in the hall then. Those hands could or perhaps did touch circumstances articulated in these stories set to music. The current programming is for a different audience. I don't see as many of those elders in the audience anymore.

Last year's tribute was to Tina Turner. This year was to Disco Legends, The Pointer Sisters, Kool & The Gang, Loeatta Holloway, Sylvester, Gloria Gaynor, concluding of course, with Donna Summer's "Last Dance." What's also nice is that many of the artists' work featured today have Oakland or Bay Area roots like The Point Sisters and Sylvester. 

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Best Intentions, East Bay Singers, and Napa High School Chamber Choir sang. There weren't that many Black singers on stage. Castlemont High School's Castleers, or even Oakland School for the Arts present in the past, were absent. 

This was Armstrong's first Break Bread concert. We could tell he was loving it too even before he stopped to tell us so. 

Ash Walker, conductor, SoulBeatz, East Bay Singers, Napa High School Chamber Choir, and Oakland Symphony Chorus, performed an amazing "African Noel" with a gong and guest African percussionists. There was syncopated clapping, the singers ever had moves. . . . It was really entertaining. 

Another highlight was Terrence Kelly's solo, especially when he went falsetto, and Best Intentions' "Silent Night." The quartet is always a show stopper--their vocal range, tenor to sexy bass.

Soloists Maiya Sykes, Tiffany Austin and PHER with rock band artists were swinging, but then again so were the Oakland Symphony string, reeds, brass and percussion sections. The orchestra is no stranger to popular music which is why its audience continues to grow. 

Folks were dancing in the aisles drink in one hand, the other waving in the air. In the lobby there was a lovely tree, souvenirs and an opportunity to support this Oakland institution. 

With city funding cuts to the arts, Oakland Symphony board members asked patrons to dig a little deeper and support this organization. For more information visit oaklandsymphony.org