Latest news with #AshleyJackson
ABC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was almost forgotten. Today, he's inspiring a new generation
Late Victorian London wasn't an easy place to achieve musical success if you were mixed-race and born outside of marriage, like composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Despite never setting foot in Africa, Coleridge-Taylor's music was often inspired by his African heritage, and he became one of Britain's foremost black composers. "He was a composer who was really tapping into this idea of an African diaspora, which was pretty revolutionary for his time," says US-based harpist and music advocate Ashley Jackson. A prolific composer and early champion of the equal rights movement, Coleridge-Taylor's lifetime coincided with the heyday of the British empire and a golden age for British composers. His contemporaries, such as Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst are household names for classical music lovers today. In contrast, for decades Coleridge-Taylor was consigned to history. But thanks to the work and advocacy of diverse musicians, Coleridge-Taylor's music is now being shared with new audiences. Coleridge-Taylor was born in 1875 to a working-class family in London. His mother named him after the 18th century poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Despite never meeting his Sierra Leonian father, a medical student who lived in London for a time, Coleridge-Taylor's life was profoundly shaped by his African heritage. His mother's family recognised and nurtured Coleridge-Taylor's musical talents. His grandfather taught him the violin and later, the family found a way to send him to the Royal College of Music aged 17. Coleridge-Taylor initially learnt composition from respected British composer Charles Villier Stanford, who also taught Ralph Vaughan Williams. Both composers wrote a substantial amount of music for choirs, orchestras and small chamber music ensembles. Vaughan Williams's music, such as Fantasia On A Theme by Thomas Tallis and The Lark Ascending, are still extremely beloved by classical music lovers today, including Australian audiences. But until recently, Coleridge-Taylor was only famous for one lone piece of music. Coleridge-Taylor's most famous composition is a trilogy of cantatas called The Song of Hiawatha. Based on an 1855 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, it follows a fictional Native American love story between Hiawatha, an Ojibwe warrior, and Minnehaha, a Decota woman who subsequently died during a famine. The first cantata, Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, achieved critical acclaim in Britain and the US. Stanford conducted the world premiere in 1898. The concert was attended by the who's who of British composers, including Hubert Parry, whose music has been used in British coronations since 1902, Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, and Edward Elgar, whose high opinion established Coleridge-Taylor's name. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, written for choir and orchestra, opened doors for Coleridge-Taylor, who was asked to write the sequels The Death Of Minnehaha and Hiawatha's Departure. Coleridge-Taylor conducted Hiawatha's Wedding Feast on three tours to the US in 1904, 1906 and 1910. On his first visit, Coleridge-Taylor was received by President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House, a reportedly rare opportunity for someone of African descent. The music's popularity endured after his death. "In the years between the world wars, the Hiawatha's festival in Royal Albert Hall in London was an extremely popular affair," says Andrew Ford, presenter of The Music Show. "World War II in 1939 put a stop to the festival, but even in the 1970s I remember posters for performances in England," Ford says. The score for Hiawatha's Wedding Feast sold hundreds of thousands of copies, and was said to rival the popularities of Handel's Messiah and Mendelssohn's Elijah. But Coleridge-Taylor didn't receive much financial benefit from the sales. He sold the music outright for an immediate sum of 15 guineas, equivalent to over $26,525 in today's money. Even though Coleridge-Taylor negotiated better deals for the subsequent cantatas, they weren't as commercially successful as Hiawatha's Wedding Feast. When Coleridge-Taylor died at the age of 37 in financial strife, his case catalysed other musicians to establish royalty payments. His musical talent and success didn't spare Coleridge-Taylor from the effects of racism during his lifetime. Coleridge-Taylor's father returned to Africa without knowing his son's existance because of slim prospects to practise as a doctor in London. Coleridge-Taylor's marriage to fellow musician Jessie Walmisley was initially opposed by her parents because he was mixed-race. "[He] knew at first-hand both of discrimination by 'race', and of the shared objective by others of a more even playing field for all," says sociologist and writer Hilary Burrage, one of the directors of the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation. "Victorian London was more varied of skin colour than some imagine." Coleridge-Taylor attended the 1900 First Pan-African Conference, a landmark event for equal rights. He befriended African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, setting many of his poems to music. He also incorporated influences from African diaspora into many of his compositions, including the 'Othello' Orchestral Suite, African Suite and Twenty-Four Negro Melodies which were inspired by African-American spirituals. Coleridge-Taylor was reported to have said about the melodies: "What Brahms has done for the Hungarian folk music, Dvořák for the Bohemian, and Grieg for the Norwegian, I have tried to do for these Negro Melodies." One of the problems with forgotten classical music figures is that often, there are complex reasons for their neglect. "In a way, the success of Hiawatha's Wedding Feast coupled with Coleridge-Taylor's early death contributed to the neglect of his music," Ford reflects. "His popularity might even lead people to not take him seriously." Today, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is better known for his instrumental music and songs. In 2021, pianist Isata Kaneh-Mason, who also has Sierra Leonian heritage, included Coleridge-Taylor's arrangement of Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child in her album Summertime. In 2022, London-based, ethnically-diverse orchestra Chineke! released a recording of Coleridge-Taylor's music, including his African Suite and Ballade In A Minor. Harpist Ashley Jackson found Coleridge-Taylor's Twenty-Four Negro Melodies while working on her previous album Ennanga, inspired by African-American spirituals. In her most recent album Take Me To The Water, Jackson included Deep River from the same set of melodies. Coleridge-Taylor is often cited as an inspiration and role-model for diverse musicians alongside Florence Price, William Grant Still and others. His children, Hiawatha (Bryan) and Gwendalin (Avril) Coleridge-Taylor became composers and conductors in their own rights. It's a vindication for a composer who has been forgotten for decades. But 150 years after Coleridge-Taylor's birth, some in the classical music world are still asking: does classical music have a diversity problem? Jackson, who is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in classical music, says there's still a lot of work to do to honour the contributions of diverse musicians from past and present. In a 2023 paper, Jackson cites historian Kira Thurman, who remarks: Chineke! orchestra founder, Chi-chi Nwanoku, experiences this conundrum firsthand. "This is the 21st century. It should not be a novelty when there is more than one black face on the stage," she told ABC Classic during the group's visit to Australia in 2022. Jackson says rather than celebrating the milestones of being the first or the only musician of colour on stage, we should instead focus on diversifying voices of composers and performers in the music world. And one way to do this is by intentionally diversifying our musical choices. "We have a responsibility to [feature] pieces of music that reflect the diversity of humanity," Jackson says. This is how music's power to bring people together can be demonstrated, she says.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
We're now in the ‘100 Deadliest Days' of summer, according to Highway Patrol
(WKBN) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol and other agencies are urging drivers to use extra caution as we enter what many call the '100 Deadliest Days' of summer. The name refers to the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when more people are on the roads. Highway Patrol recorded more than 65,000 crashes during that period last year, which was actually a slight decrease from the previous summer, but still involved 364 deadly crashes and nearly 400 deaths. Troopers say there are a number of reasons why more people are on the roads. 'So you have younger drivers that are out, that don't have a scheduled day with it being summertime. You have family vacations and activities that people try to get their families involved, too. So with that, there's always that with more people out on the roadways, we try to keep it as safe as possible,' Sgt. Ashley Jackson said. While Highway Patrol and other agencies are always on the lookout for distracted and reckless drivers, troopers say it's always up to the individual drivers to stay focused on the road ahead of them and avoid becoming distracted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in for weddings in 2025? Uniqueness, experiences, technology
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The temperature rising means many things. Among the biggest: Wedding season is just around the corner. Whether you're planning a wedding or just love to see how trends are changing, one thing is clear: 2025 weddings are all about creating a celebration that's unique and personal. According to recent wedding industry reports, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is now around $30,000, with guest lists shrinking but experiences getting bigger. Experts say couples are choosing quality over quantity, at least partly due to national events. 'I've continually seen just minimalism and not having so much built in,' said Ashley Jackson, CEO and founder of Timeless Dream Events. 'That's probably because of uncertainty.' More couples are opting for destination weddings, immersive experiences and unique entertainment. 'They're not so worried about 'what am I doing?' or 'what am I getting out of this day?' ' said Ashley, 'but 'what is my guest getting out of this day? Because they might be coming from afar. I want them to enjoy the day and that will make me happy.' 'Of course, the day is about the bride and the groom, don't get me wrong. But they also want their loved ones to enjoy their time, so they might be cultivating a weekend experience because their guests might be coming from out of state.' Technology is also playing an increasingly large role. More couples are live-streaming their ceremonies for guests who can't attend, or using AI to assist with the planning. Wedding photographers are even incorporating drones into their toolbox. 'They're wanting involvement from the whole picture of everyone,' said Timeless Dream Events co-coordinator Louise Jackson. 'I think it's important that they do that so that everyone feels touched by that evening.' And when it comes to fashion, it's not just about the white dress anymore. Colorful wedding gowns, mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses, and even second outfits for the reception are becoming more popular. 'Maybe having less florals and more candles or not doing so many grand installs from the ceilings,' said Ashley. Of course, even with ChatGPT and other AI options available, it helps to have things organized by the wedding planner. New data shows the job market for wedding planners is expected to grow by more than 7 percent over the next 10 years, with revenue in the wedding planning industry projected to grow to about $1.7 billion. For Ashley, the journey to founding Timeless Dream Events began the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic when she found herself reflecting on her purpose. With a natural talent for planning and a deep desire to help others, she turned to a business coach and soon realized that her gift was in bringing people together. 'My dad, who is no longer with us, always pushed me to chase my dreams,' said Ashley. 'Dreams are timeless, endless. So that's where Timeless Dream Events was born.' Working with her mother Mama J, Ashley tries to bring warmth, care and a personal connection to the wedding of every couple they work with. 'I just want to provide an experience for my couples,' said Ashley. 'I want them to be able to feel good about themselves because that way the whole day is just going to go smooth.' That personal touch has left an impression on countless couples across the Miami Valley and beyond. One of their most memorable weddings was a vibrant fusion of Indian and American traditions, with two ceremonies unfolding in a single day.'It was amazing because even though I might not have understood what was happening the whole time, you just felt the love,' said Ashley. As Women's History Month unfolds, Ashley hopes to inspire other women to pursue their passions fearlessly. 'Believe in yourself, get up on your feet and go chase your dreams,' she says. Her mother agrees. 'Never give up and always seek encouragement,' said Mama J. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Webster business owner accused of defrauding over $40k from Medicaid
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A Webster business owner has been accused of defrauding Medicaid, according to the US Attorney's Office. 36-year-old Ashley Jackson is the owner of Roc City Transport in Webster. She was accused of submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid between February 2018 and November 2022. These claims, according to prosecutors were seeking reimbursement for non-emergency transportation the business allegedly provided in connection with their services. Jackson was accused of submitting claims for Medicaid transportation trips that never happened, individual rides that were billed as group rides, and kickbacks paid to recipients to drive themselves to appointments. Investigators said the Medicaid beneficiaries that used Roc City Transport were being taken to methadone clinics up to six days a week. It was alleged the company billed Medicaid around $40,123.29. Jackson was arrested and charged with healthcare fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
