8/23/21: One Detroit – Detroit Public Theatre / Dennis Coffey / Brian McCollum / Sphinx

Aug 23, 2021

This episode originally aired July 27, 2020

Detroit Public Theatre – Birthday Candles: The play, Birthday Candles, had its world-premiere at the Detroit Public Theatre, and was set to open on Broadway in April 2020. However, its debut was delayed by the pandemic. Christy talks with the Detroit Public Theatre’s producers about the play’s origins, the collaboration that helped it come together, and the future of its debut.
Dennis Coffey: Dennis Coffey is a well-known guitarist in Detroit. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings and is popular for his 1971 top 10 hit single “Scorpio”. Senior Producer, Bill Kubota sheds some light on Dennis Coffey’s story.
Detroit Free Press: Brian McCollum is the music writer and columnist at the Detroit Free Press. Brian talks with Christy McDonald about the changing arts and culture scene and some of the innovative ways that live music may emerge during the COVID-19 crisis. He will be appearing regularly as part of the new partnership between Detroit Public Television and the Detroit Free Press. Read his article in the Detroit Free Press on how Detroit’s arts community is finding unity and shared mission amid the pandemic.
End Performance: In an effort to support freelance musicians during today’s unprecedented times, Sphinx is partnering with the Chineke! Foundation in the United Kingdom for a transatlantic project, Music Across the Ocean. Performing Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Othello Suite, 72 musicians and 9 conductors recorded their individual parts in their homes in the UK, USA and in Europe.

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