Hi,
Today we are excited to announce the world premiere concert performance of Promises, happening one time only on September 20, 2023, for the acclaimed album-length composition that Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) recorded with the late and dearly beloved tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Sam and Pharoah were planning this performance before Pharoah died, and now Sam will fulfill this wish alongside the Los Angeles Studio Orchestra and an all-star line-up handpicked, in part, by Pharoah himself.
As you can imagine, finally bringing this show together comes with many emotions and things we could say. Here is what Sam wanted to tell you:
“In the weeks before his passing, Pharoah and I were talking about performing a single, one-time show of Promises, together with a large orchestra. I wanted it to be somewhere close to his home, to make it easier for him to be there. I felt like he’d aged a lot in what became his last year, but he was so energized after his last show and eager to play more. Whenever we would see each other, he would always ask me with such fondness about our friend Shabaka - someone he’d seen play several times, and greatly admired. ‘He plays big and strong like a lion!’, he’d always say. So, with the help from some friends, we’re going to perform the work on 20th September of this year at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Wherever you may be, I hope you can come and help us celebrate him.”
Tickets will be released during multiple stages this spring, with early access for Hollywood Bowl members. General tickets will become available on May 2. To keep up to date with announcements, hear more about the performance and get access to early tickets on April 25, make sure you are signed up at listentopromises.com.
If you would like to order a copy of Promises, please go here.
Love,
Luaka Bop
