Multimedia theater piece developed by Hemphill with Malinké Elliott, first performed in November, 1978, in Washington, D.C., at the Corcoran Gallery. A new version was performed at the Kitchen in New York City in January, 1981. Some material from this performance was later incorporated into “Long Tongues: A Saxophone Opera.”
The Julius Hemphill Papers includes a score in Hemphill’s hand featuring the movements “Sketch 1,” “Sketch 2,” “Sketch 3,” “Sketch 4,” and “Sir Preacher.” The instrumentation includes alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet, flute, French horn, and cello, though it varies by movement. There are parts in Hemphill’s hand for “Carnival Barker” and “Orator,” both of which were also part of the performance at some point. There is also archival audio of the work for solo percussion called “Bells,” developed by Hemphill and Malinké Elliott and incorporated into this theatrical work.
The Julius Hemphill Papers includes a video recording of the performance from The Kitchen on January 2, 1981.