by Daleel Jabir Muhammad
NEW YORK—The excitement and anticipation of bringing the Nation of Islam (N.O.I.) Musical Ensemble to New York City, on August 24 is growing. Many can’t wait to see the “Sounds of Harmony” tour in the city that has produced or showcased many genres of music including jazz, blues, soul, R&B, and is the birthplace of hip hop.
The N.O.I. Musical Ensemble is comprised of youth ranging in age from eight to 23 years old who were encouraged by the divine inspirational words of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan during a special banquet at the 2024 Saviours’ Day convention in Detroit where the ensemble first performed together in public.
“All of you were so great, we have a talented family among us, and I want to encourage you to keep going and inspiring others to pick up an instrument and let’s make The Nation of Islam Symphony Orchestra a reality!” Minister Farrakhan said after the Saviours’ Day performance.
The inaugural kick-off for the tour was in Houston, Texas, hosted by Mosque No. 45 on June 29, at the Joe Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center.
“By Allah’s intervention in our affairs, it was an astounding opportunity for the Southwest Regional headquarters to host the first inaugural and historic concert tour of the Nation of Islam Musical Ensemble in Houston, Texas,” said Sister Helen Muhammad, Student Southwest Regional Protocol Director and N.O.I. concert tour coordinator.
“Both the Southwest family of believers and the Houston community were amazed and delightfully proud of the talent and musical skills of the musicians that have risen from our Nation,” she said.
Additional artistic performances by members of Mosque No. 45 and the musical community included Jawad Muhammad, saxophonist; Latonia Muhammad, lyricist; Cymphoni Pringle, cellist; Gregory Lewis, Jazz pianist; the Community Music Center Youth Orchestra and vocalist Najah Jakur.
The second leg of the regional tour hits “the city so nice that they named it twice,” New York, New York.
“We are extremely excited in Harlem and at Mosque No. 7 to host The N.O.I. Musical Ensemble: ‘Sounds of Harmony’ tour here in New York City. This is a great opportunity to display this aspect of our Nation’s culture, particularly highlighting our youth,” said Student Minister Arthur Muhammad of Mosque No. 7.
“I see this presentation as a means for our youth and other youth outside of the Nation to garner a greater appreciation for classical music and what it represents as an expression of cultural refinement in the arts,” he added.
In addition to the ensemble, renowned guest performers will include the Joy X Brown Trio; Markel Reed, classical baritone vocalist; Lisa A. Muhammad, spoken word lyricist with accompaniments by Lonnie Plaxico, bassist and Edward Callahan, a classical pianist.
The elegant Alhambra Ballroom located in the center of Harlem at, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd will host this auspicious Black-tie affair, that you won’t want to miss, on August 24. Doors open at 4 p.m. for VIP admission and 5 p.m. for general admission. For more information and tickets: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/NOIMusicalEnsemble/7585/event/1389860
