Meet Jeff Majors, Harpist and Breakthrough American Musician

The harp is mentioned more often in the Bible than any other musical instrument.

The harp is an earthly instrument with a heavenly sound. It can soothe a troubled soul.

In Jewish history, it is written that when King Saul was tormented, he asked for someone to play the harp for him to calm his spirit. A young harpist named David was recommended. The lad was surely an extraordinarily talented musician because he was often summoned to play for the king to relieve his distress. When David grew up, he succeeded Saul as the second king of ancient Israel. Music continued to be an integral part of his life, and in addition to being an accomplished harpist, he also wrote psalms (songs).

Unfortunately, none of the harp music of King David was preserved, so we can only imagine what those hauntingly beautiful and caressing melodies may have sounded like.

Fortunately, Jeff Majors is a harpist with a great imagination!

Image credit

The American music audience no longer insists that the harp is just for classical music thanks to breakthrough artists like jazz/gospel harpist Jeff Majors.

Now a well-known and much-appreciated African-American artist/composer/harpist, Jeff Majors followed his dream. Literally. He actually had a dream about playing the harp and decided he would learn.He was taught by the late Alice Coltrane (1937 -2007), jazz pianist and harpist, and the spouse of the legendary John Coltrane (1926 -1967).

Along with Alice Coltrane, Mr. Majors credits the late Dorothy Ashby (1930 -1986) with influencing his musical style. These ladies proved that the classical harp instrument could be easily and effortlessly integrated into jazz compositions. Once Mr. Majors mastered the instrument, he set out to share his musical gift with others. Through collaborative efforts with other artists, he has set to music some of the Psalms written by King David.

Official website.

FUN FACT: Mr. Majors named his harp "Hanifah". (A female given name: from an Arabic word meaning “true believer”.)

Original source

Classical Music - Non-European Composers

 Ever find a music blog or website that is so good it's hard to tear yourself away? Found one! Berussagroup® (berussamusicart.com) The wide range of information on various singers, musicians, composers, etc. could keep you busy all day if you have some leisure time.  

This site led me to a classical composer and answered my question. I wanted to know if anybody knew any famous non-European (or Non-Western) classical music composers. I was wondering about people during the same time period as Mozart or Beethoven; however, this gentleman is a modern composer: Yuhki Kuramoto (born 1951). Most of the music he composes is for the piano. Still looking for non-European classical music composers.  But this is a start.

Can you recommend others?

Original source

Yuhki Kuramoto - Romance https://t.co/20BtEM9FdD #berussamusicart via @Berussagroup pic.twitter.com/De3x06iaIT

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 20, 2020

RELATED CONTENT:

Introduction to Classical Music ~ Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Tchaikovsky

Many of the famous classical music composers that we know of – Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky - are no longer with us.

Portrait Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Popular singers, songwriters and musicians like the late Nina Simone, the late Michael Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney, and Alicia Keys have all said they draw inspiration from or have been greatly influenced by these composers. 

The above is regarded by historians as the most accurate surviving likeness of Mozart, painted when the composer was 26 years old. It is a section of an unfinished 1782 portrait by Joseph Lange. The splotchy texture of the composer's cheeks, visible in the original painting on display at the Mozart Museum in Salzburg, was verified by Mozart's contemporaries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You heard that most music stores owners are tempted to put their classical music selections in a small room at the back of the store; however, it was just a bit of humor. The least we can do is display their masterful works – whether on the store shelves or in your home music library - in plain view so that their memory of these gifted musicians will live on.

Johann Sebastian Bach (aged 61) in a portrait by Elias Gottlob Haussmann, Copy or second Version of his 1746 Canvas, private ownership of William H. Scheide, Princeton, New Jersey, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thinking about experimenting and expanding your musical taste?

You want to listen to classical music, but you don't know where to begin?

Start here.

Classical Music for Beginners

***

Fascinating Facts about Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky.

• Beethoven composed his most celebrated works after he went deaf.

• Mozart was writing his own compositions by the age of 6.

• Bach was blinded because of a botched eye surgery.

• Tchaikovsky was constantly and harshly criticized by the “music critics” of his day.

The Health Benefits of Classical Music

There is no doubt that there are benefits to be found in many different genres of music. It can often seem to help when nothing else is able to change our mood or motivate us. For thousands of years, humans have been intrinsically linked to music in all its forms. It is part of our mourning, our celebrations, and our rituals.

Content also appears at my partner blog

Review of Ayumi’s Violin by Mariko Tatsumoto (Reblog)

This post is from the blog of a dear friend who writes book reviews. She chooses books in a variety of different categories: from animal stories to tutorials, fiction and non-fiction. When I really want to indulge myself, I read a children's book or I listen to music or do both. I particularly enjoy the violin. 

I appreciate books for children that address cultural diversity and that encourage children to become interested in music. That's why I chose this specific post to reblog.  Also this is a "coming to America" story.  It makes me feel so blessed that I was born in America and that no matter what others might say about my country ... this is truly a land of opportunity!

Review of Ayumi’s Violin by Mariko Tatsumoto: 

"Ayumi, a biracial love child, an outcast in Japan, had to face post WW2 prejudice when sent to live in America after her mother died. She had never met her father ..."