When people are diagnosed as being HIV-positive, they are faced with a decision: They can decide to die, or they can decide to live. Lee Gannon decided to live—and to write. When Gannon’s orchestral piece “Peste Noire” was given its world premiere last January by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the young composer was greeted with a minutes-long standing ovation and rave notices.
Gannon now follows that triumph with an entire program of his compositions 4:30 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 12, at Scarritt-Bennett’s Wightman Chapel. The afternoon recital will include pieces for solo cello, solo clarinet, and mezzo soprano and piano, along with two choral works featuring volunteers from St. Ann’s Episcopal and the Christ Church Cathedral under the direction of William Taylor. Other participating musicians include soprano Amy Jarman, clarinetist David Wilkes, cellist Bradley Mansell, and, from the Belmont Camerata, Lee Levine on clarinet, Judith Vann on viola, and Tim Gmeiner on piano.
The works range from “Jesu That Dost in Mary Dwell,” a choral piece commissioned by Christ Church Cathedral, to “Wet-on-Wet,” a composition for solo clarinet intended to evoke the painting technique of the title. Gannon says he patterned the piece after the style of the late, wildly enthusiastic public-television painting instructor Bob Ross, known for his predilection for “happy bushes” and “fluffy clouds.”
Not only will the composer himself perform on piano, he’ll also handle several less conventional duties—such as giving away a number of door prizes specially donated for the occasion. There’ll be NSO symphony tickets, a free hairstyle from Arion Hair Salon, and a watercolor set from Omni Art Supply. In addition, the Mad Platter chipped in dinner for two, while the Cat Shoppe at Green Hills donated a long-sleeve T-shirt. Door prizes? At a recital? “Since when have I not been wild?” says Gannon mischievously.
The concert caps a series of remarkable achievements for the 35-year-old composer, who has battled HIV and AIDS since 1984. His work “Triad-O-Rama” was recorded for the BMG/Catalyst album Memento Bittersweet, a collection of pieces by composers with AIDS, and his solo-piano composition “When My Head Spins” was performed by former Nashvillian William Ransom for Heartkeys: The AIDS Memorial Album.
Despite his participation in these projects, Gannon says, he primarily thinks of himself as “a composer with AIDS, not an AIDS composer.” But he wants other people to take hope from his example.
“I have managed to keep my life going for 11 years,” Gannon says. “It doesn’t mean your life is over. I believe in that. I’d like other people to know it’s not over.” He even hopes to record the Scarritt concert for a limited pressing on CD, with all proceeds going to Nashville CARES. “They’ve really been there for me at very difficult times,” he says, “and I’d like to give something back to them.”
Lee Gannon’s concert is free and open to the public.
Duane Jarvis, who just celebrated his first year living in Nashville, goes into the Moondog recording studios with producer Garry Tallent to record his new LP for Twin/Tone Records subsidiary Medium Cool. The new LP will feature songs cowritten with buddies Tim Carroll, Steve Allen and Gwil Owen, with backing provided by hot drummer Paul Griffith and bassist Stick Davis. Jarvis, who says he’s impressed by some of the “punk-folk” bands he’s heard at Lucy’s Record Shop lately, describes the new album as “a rockin’ country-soul record”—which, come to think of it, pretty much describes his previous CD, D.J.’s Front Porch. The new record should be out early next year.
Public education now has four R’s: readin’, ’ritin’, ’rithmetic—and Robert Johnson. The Music City Blues Society recently launched its 1995-96 “Blues in the Library/Blues in the Schools” program with a $1,000 check presented to the Ben West downtown public library; the money will go toward purchasing blues-related books for the library’s collection. In addition, Music City Blues will sponsor lectures and concerts during the winter and spring months in Nashville public schools, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School and Glencliff Elementary. Last year’s “Blues in the Schools” program brought the rhythm, the heritage and the history of the blues to 5,250 Metro students. Now, class, repeat after me: “I’m a crawling king snake, baby....”
Ranch Dressing, the way-cool vintage and new clothing store run by designer Katy K (a.k.a. Katy Kattelman), celebrates its first anniversary with a music and fashion show at the showbar Showtime Sunday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Non-professional models, including some Nashville musicians and local babes, will model vintage clothes from the 1920s all the way through the ’60s, with a finale featuring authentic suits by Nudie and Turk of Hollywood. (One Nudie suit reportedly belonged to a member of Spade Cooley’s band; don’t piss off the guy wearing it.) Invitations are limited; to get yours, stop by Ranch Dressing at 113 17th Ave. S. (behind the Sub Stop right off Broadway) before 6 p.m. Friday while supplies last....
Guitarist/composer/producer/actor has released his debut jazz CD, , on the New Jersey label Blue Orchid. The 11-song album features backing from keyboardist Ben Tankard, drummer Chester Thompson (who smoked Caffé Milano a few weeks back) and pianist Dave Hoffner, among others....
Stuff your stocking this Christmas with two new AVI Records compilations from the archives of Nashboro Records, the famed Nashville gospel-soul label. Nashboro Nativity Vol. 1 includes tracks by Maggie Ingram, Brother Joe May, the Six Trumpets and Sullivan and Iola Pugh; Vol. 2 spotlights the Fairfield Four, Rev. Cleophus Robinson, and the entire contents of the Gospel Keynotes’ 1979 album Christmas With the Gospel Keynotes. I’m telling you, brother, these records rock. Check local stores....
