CFG Multimedia

Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as stating, “There was never a good war, or a bad peace.” And yet, in 2016 America, there is all manner of evidence to the contrary. Does Franklin’s logic hold up in an America where large portions of its population live in occupied state conditions? “A Bad Peace” seeks to unpack that political duality in a unique performance of three brand new works by two of Columbus’ most progressive artists.

Navigating the theme through poetry and song, Dr. Mark Lomax, II and Scott Woods will deliver a stunning collection of new work. Dr. Lomax, II will be performing a new solo drum work, followed by Woods performing a new long-form poem. The presentation will conclude with a duet between the two that unpacks the history of black code-switching, jazz, and racial identity entitled “What You Smiling For?”, a multi-disciplinary work composed specifically for this event. A short Q&A follows the performance

Admission is free.
Merchandise by both artists will be available for purchase.
Performance starts at 7:30

Wild Goose Creative
2491 Summit Street
Columbus, Ohio 43202

BIOS
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Scott Woods is the author of “Urban Contemporary History Month” and “We Over Here Now” (2016 and 2013 respectively, Brick Cave Books) and has published and edited work in a variety of publications, including World Literature Today, Rattle, PANK, Crab Orchard Review, and Union Station Magazine. He has been featured multiple times in national press, including Paste, 614, Columbus Monthly, and multiple appearances on National Public Radio. He was the President of Poetry Slam, Inc., and curates the Writers’ Block Poetry Night, an open mic series in Columbus, Ohio. In April of 2006 he became the first poet to ever complete a 24-hour solo poetry reading, a feat he bested with six more annual 24-hour readings without repeating a single poem.

Click here to visit Scott's website

Critically acclaimed recording artist Dr. Mark Lomax, II has spent a lifetime in music. His father a pastor and mother, a composer of gospel music, introduced him to both gospel and jazz at an early age and he continued his study of gospel music with Dr. Raymond Wise, founder of the Center for the Gospel Arts. Besides performing with gospel choirs around the country, Lomax also boasts impressive jazz credentials. He toured with the Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet in 2005, and has worked with Clark Terry, Marlon Jordan, Azar Lawrence, Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, Nicholas Payton, Ellis Marsalis, and Wessel Anderson, among others. Jazz Times says Lomax’s “forceful drumming would have made Elvin Jones proud.” Dr. Lomax holds a Doctor of Music Arts degree in composition from The Ohio State University. His myriad experiences have allowed him to create a wonderful blend of styles in his music.

Whether he’s interpreting the Negro Spiritual through jazz, arranging gospel music for a symphony orchestra, or performing his original works, his music is relevant, probing, and inspiring. With his latest release Solo Meditations, Lomax synthesizes all his previous experiences, in gospel music, jazz, and classical music into a powerful personal concept. “It has never been about one or the other when it comes to human experience,” Lomax says. “It is always about the whole, the ability to celebrate our differences while building upon our similarities.” In addition to performing and composing, Mark has taught college preparatory theory classes in the Columbus Public School system. He is currently a Community Research and Grants Manager at The Columbus Foundation and is also a highly sought after lecturer specializing in the socio-political, and spiritual aspect of African-American art musics, race and using the arts to build community. Dr. Mark Lomax, II is happy to endorse RBH Drums (www.rbhdrumsusa.com) and is represented by Welgrum Music (welgrummusic@gmail.com).

Click here to visit Mark's website