Award-winning trumpeter Kris Johnson brings #looptherapy to The War Memorial, concluding the Live at the Alger performance series
Many are familiar with the concept of music therapy, but award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson has coined the phrase #looptherapy as part of his arsenal of explorative music.
As the final performer to round out The War Memorial’s Live at the Alger, a series of house-concert style performances, Johnson will introduce #looptherapy to the Grosse Pointe communities on Friday, April 22. Beginning at 7 p.m., the event will dive into Johnson’s enlightening musical process providing listeners with a unique artistic experience.
Johnson uses looping technology on his iPad Pro in combination with the trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion instruments, voice, and more, to create unique textures and grooves as a part of #looptherapy.
“Learning about generational trauma and breaking toxic cycles has been extremely crucial to my personal development in the past few years,” explained Johnson. “The circular nature of trauma has fascinated me, and #looptherapy artistically represents breaking through toxic patterns.”
As an artist, Johnson’s work focuses on music that spans the depth and breadth Black American music. The influences that have shaped his artistry include Terence Blanchard, Thad Jones, Nicholas Payton, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews, Clifford Brown, Roy Hargrove, and many others.
Although a young artist, Johnson’s professional career is expansive and includes playing in and arranging for the renowned Count Basie Orchestra; directing the University of Utah Jazz Studies program; composing several musicals, including Jim Crow's Tears and Hastings Street: The Musical; and even produces the Kris Johnson Big Band YouTube series.
“Music is everywhere. Art is everything,” expressed Johnson. “My music is both a reflection of my life as well as an inspiration that guides how I operate day to day.”
Currently, Johnson works as the director of the Michigan State University Community Music School-Detroit and continues his freelance work as a composer and performer. He also teaches through his online platform, “Office Hours with Kris.”
Johnson has appeared on five Grammy-nominated albums and composed the original score for the four-time Emmy-nominated web series “King Ester.”
Guests will enjoy Johnson’s interactive performance combined with storytelling to discover ways in which art can provide healing and reflection in our lives.
“My hope is that by sharing my music, I will inspire others and spark much needed dialogue about the intersection of art, therapy, and quality of life.”
Event details:
7:00 p.m. (pre-glow ticketholders): Pre-glow in the historic 1910 Alger House. Ticket includes one complimentary drink, and delectable light hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. (all ticketholders): Concert in the Alger House library
Full cash bar available throughout the evening. To purchase tickets, visit www.warmemorial.org/arts/liveatthealger-johnson.
More about Kris Johnson
Johnson toured the world as a trumpeter and arranger with the Count Basie Orchestra from 2008-2019 and served as the director of Jazz Studies at the University of Utah from 2015-2019. Johnson has served as project director for Pontiac School District, leading a U.S. Department of Education Arts in Education - Model Development and Dissemination Grant, and as the education and digital programming manager for the Motown Museum.
Additionally, he has served on the teaching faculty at The Ohio State University, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles, and as an artistic liaison for JazzEd Detroit through a partnership with ArtOps and the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.
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About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, is an experiential space open to everyone from everywhere. For more than 70 years, it has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Its unique environment attracts more than 3,000 events and 250,000 visitors annually while offering premier hospitality services for community and private gatherings. Its diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live and virtual engagement experiences for adults and children. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. Numerous patriotic and veterans’ events are held as well as history and civics offerings on the origin, traditions, and challenges facing American democracy. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
Media Contact
Da’Stanza Murphy
Director of Communications and Advancement
313.332.4053
dmurphy@warmemorial.org