Presented jointly by CAP UCLA and Piano Spheres, the performance of Althea Waites at the Nimoy Theatre raised awareness by presenting compositions by African American composers.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 01/24/2024
In the venue’s inaugural season, the Nimoy Theatre is already proving to be an invaluable addition to the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. As part of the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA (CAP UCLA), the new venue delivers an outstanding lineup of music and performance that reflects the Art Deco feel of an inspiring space. A perfect example was the performance of internationally renowned African American pianist Althea Waites. Presented in collaboration with Piano Spheres, the talented musician musically illuminated the audience with a delightful combination of talent and scholarship.
With a Master of Music Degree in Piano from the Yale School of Music, Althea Waites has an impressive pedigree and background. At eighty-five, the incredible musician still goes strong with her mission to promote once-marginalized musicians and composers of color. Playing works by African American composer Margaret Bonds (1913-1972), Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), a British composer of African descent, and the still living Cuban composer Tania Leon (b. 1943), Waites introduces her audience to a wide range of musical influences and brilliance. Indeed, she is like an archeologist of jazz and classical, digging into precious sites forgotten or ignored by the traditional academy.
Still, Althea Waites faces the challenges that any human being faces at an advanced age. When she appears on stage at the onset to discuss what she will play, it seems like such a performance could be challenging to execute. However, when she sits at the piano, all these worries quickly fade away. Before each section of the performance, Althea Waites closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She lets her hands take charge of her playing, reflecting her reputation as a brilliant musician.
When her fingers dance on the keyboard, she has the agility and precision of an accomplished performer. Indeed, it was inspiring to watch her perform. Sitting with me as my guest, Ana Ituh was impressed. As an Afro-Latino born in Honduras, she found the performance by an African American woman to be something of a revelation.
As Ana says, “In my life, I have not listened very much to this kind of music. I would not describe myself as a fan of jazz or classical. Although I was initially hesitant to attend this show, it proved to be a wonderful event. Hearing a black woman perform the music of black composers made me see a side of the world I had never seen before. With such undeniable talent, her past and present success gave me hope for the future. I will never forget the night that I had the opportunity to see Althea Waites perform live.”
