Karen Slack | Gladys Bentley Project
Karen is a skilled storyteller, a champion for new work, and a thoughtful producer, and she is developing a project to honor the life of the iconic Harlem Renaissance performer Gladys Bentley, putting Black Queer voices front and center while exploring themes of Black love, identity, and artistry through the lens of the Harlem Renaissance. Gladys was a sparkling and revered presence throughout that scene, but her story has faded with time and Karen seeks to create a musical platform that shines a light on her accomplishments and brings her story to life through commissioning a new concert work.
To get a glimpse into Gladys' story:
Unsung History (2 min)
Performing on Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life show in 1958
Overlooked Obituaries in The NYTimes
Featured on PBS American Experience
The new work will be an approx. 20 minute orchestral song cycle scored for soprano (with Karen as featured soloist) and orchestra, with original libretto by Lorene Cary and music written by multiple Emmy-award nominated LA-based composer Kathryn Bostic.