Martin's Dream, a concert in celeberation of the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have A Dream" speech turned out to be more about Dr. King's life - his values, philosophies and dilema, as he faced an ardous task of articulating the right message that would strike a balance among all races and divergent opinions on the civil rights movements for Black Americans, as they fought for civil liberties and equality.
Organised by jazz pianist, composer and arranger, Trevor Watkis (pictured with mike in main photo), with support from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and GLL Better, the new Managers of the Woolwich Library, the event featured music, Spoken Word and Songs from UK Jazz Artists, like Tony Kofi, and young musical talents and Tim Nugent, Drums/Percussion and Live Sound/Live recording.
Special guests for the occassion were Author and Historian, Robin Walker and Spoken Word Artist, Zena Edwards.
London born Trevor Watkis said the choice of a Woolwich venue was not without its challenges and that when asked "why stage the event in Woolwich", he had replied "why not?"
The night was entertaining, particularly for lovers of Dr. Martin Luther King and Jazz Music.
Poet and Spoken Word Artist, Zena Edwards said Martin Luther King was a man who gave his life for an idea that was a dream, and one that became a vision. She said that Martin Luther King was also a man who saw far into the future `even before the time of .com'. She said 50 years on, we must all remember his idea which changed the world and continues to do so.
Singing "We Shall Overcome Someday" in Zulu, the Poet played a South African instrument called `Kalimba'. Her performance contained english poetry about patience, peace and self discovery in order to achieve internal healing, without which peace is elusive.
Through her music, she said that personal healing and tranquility help us feel `humbled to the struggles of our ancestors'. And the ending `hiha, hihu, hiha, hihu, hiha, huhu', drew a well deserved applauds.
The event also featured several other stars, including Delila, who performed the same song that was sang on the day Martin Luther King died; The organiser, Trevor Watkis and his band, who entertained the audience with Charles Meadows composition titled "Favours of focus" composed, he said, because of a man that was against black emancipation at that time.
Trevor's band also played John Coltrane's "Alabama" - made after a speech given by Martin Luther King over the murder of four girls in Alabama in 1963.
Robin Walker, Author, Historian and a great speaker on black history, recalled the real vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. He quoted Dr. King thus `..it is perhaps, easy for those who have never experienced segregation to say "wait!", but when you have to concoct an answer to the question of "why did whitemen treat blackmen like this?", for your little daughter, you will understand the urgency."
The Historian said that Dr. King's efforts were remarkable because, he was the first to call for integration of white and black - an idea that other civil rights campaigners at the time did not favour, having themselves clamoured for black segregation from other races in retaliation.
He said Dr. King also encouraged black Christians to take part in politics, and that they have the responsibility to fight oppression in order to be free. He said, Martin Luther King justified this by insisting that "by fighting oppression, black Christians would be fighting injustice and therefore, would be doing God's work".
Robin Walker said that King's idea were revolutionary, and brought about the idea of `libration theology', as well as `black libration'.
He said Dr. King was baffled that he seemed to be in the midst of two opposing forces - one of `indolence and the insensitive', and the other `of bitterness and hatred' which nourished discrimination, because these people hated all whites.
Bringing his speech to a close, the historian said that Dr. King's efforts to articulate an appropriate and convincing message that offered solutions that assuaged the hurt feelings and damaged egos of different races at the time, marked him out as an exemplary leader from the rest.
His exit ushered in Ezekiel, a talented young Artist who sang "Someday, We Will Be Free" before the performers gathered to sing Stevie Wonder's "Let Freedom Ring."
And by the end of the concert, you've learnt that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King really was more than a 17 minute speech.
Report by Benson Agoha.
* Twitter: @bensonagoha.
* Photos: received with thanks from Tim Nugent.
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