Angel Bat Dawid (born 1979) is an Black American composer, clarinetist, pianist, vocalist, producer, educator & DJ. Her critically-acclaimed album, The Oracle, has been featured in Pitchfork, BBC, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Chicago Sun Times.

Angel Bat Dawid

Life and career

Angel Bat Dawid, born on October 17, 1979, in Atlanta, GA, is a Black American composer, clarinetist, singer, Dj and educator. Her father attended Morehouse College, and after marrying Dawid's mother, the family moved to her father's hometown of Louisville, KY. In 1986, they moved to Kenya, where her parents served as Southern Baptist missionaries for four years.^[1] They then returned to Louisville when Dawid was 12. During her teenage years, the family relocated to Chicago, IL, as her parents pursued ministry opportunities.^[2] Dawid's parents identify as Black Hebrew Israelites.^[2]

Dawid studied classical music at Moody Bible Institute as a clarinet performance major and Music Education at Roosevelt University. However, after experiencing a medical crisis, she took a job in retail to pay off her medical bills. Eventually, she cashed out her 401K and decided to pursue music full-time in 2014. Dawid joined a jam session with Chicago composer David Boykin and met members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. She later co-founded the Chicago-based creative music collective, The Participatory Music Coalition.

Dawid has toured internationally both as a solo artist and with her septet called "Tha Brothahood." Their album "LIVE" was featured on NPR's Best of 2020 list. She also leads an all-woman ensemble called Sistazz of the Nitty Gritty, which opened for the Sun Ra Arkestra at New York Central Park Summerstage to critical acclaim. Additionally, Dawid forms half of the duo group DAOUI with sound artist Oui Ennui. They produced, mixed, and self-released the album "Message from the DAOUI," which was featured at Tusk Festival 2020. Dawid is a clarinetist in Damon Lock's Black Monument Ensemble and also works as a DJ. She hosts a monthly music show on NTS Radio.

In 2023, Dawid announced the release of her album "Requiem For Jazz." The album, inspired by the dialogue from the 1959 film "The Cry of Jazz," explores the African American experience and serves as a critique of racial politics in the USA. It connects the past to the present and features contributions from the Sun Ra Arkestra. The album was initially premiered at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival in 2019 and includes collaborations with various Black musicians, singers, dancers, and visual artists. Dawid aims to continue the conversation started by the film's director, Edward O. Bland, and foster a loving exchange among listeners. One of her collaborators on the album is Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra.

Teaching

Dawid is a committed educator who is dedicated to promoting education and empowering individuals through music. She has a strong passion for teaching and believes in the transformative power of music in people's lives. In line with her vision, Dawid has plans to open a music school where she can further nurture young talents and create a space for musical exploration and learning.

One of Dawid's notable teaching experiences includes her role as an instructor for the "Great Black Music" course at Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Through this program, she aims to use music as a tool for rehabilitation and growth among incarcerated youth. By introducing them to the rich traditions of black music, Dawid seeks to inspire and empower these young individuals to change their lives positively.

Additionally, Dawid has collaborated with various institutions to bring the joy of music to underserved communities. She has worked with Imagine Englewood If, a community organization in Chicago, to deliver music education and mentorship programs to young people. Dawid's efforts also extend beyond conventional classroom settings. Through the Carnegie Hall Lullaby project, in partnership with the Simpson Academy for Young Women, she has helped young mothers compose lullabies for their babies. This initiative, conducted through the Old Town School of Folk in Chicago, not only allows the participants to express their creativity but also strengthens the bond between mother and child through the power of music.

With her dedication to education and her commitment to the community, Dawid is an influential figure in the field of music education. Her upcoming music school will undoubtedly provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for students to explore their musical potential and contribute to the vibrant culture of music in their communities.^[2]

Recognition

Dawid was one of the commissioned composers for the 2019 Hyde Park Jazz Festival where she premiered her original work “Requiem for Jazz." She premiered her work “Peace: A Suite for Skylanding” in 2020, which was commissioned by the Art Institute of Chicago for Yoko Ono’s outdoor Skylanding Installation.

Dawid was recently honored as 2021 "Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz" by the Chicago Tribune. She is on Pitchfork’s Next 25 list of emerging artists to look out for, and was also New York Winter Jazz Festival 2022 Artist in Residence premiering her latest composition "Afro Town Topics: An Afrofuturist Mythological Musical Revue.^[3][2][1][4]

Albums

• The Oracle (International Anthem, 2019)^[5]
• Angel Bat Dawid / Tha Brothahood, LIVE (2020)
• Hush Harbor Mixtape No. 1: Doxology (2021)^[6]
• Requiem for Jazz (2023)

References