Oklahoma City Philharmonic - Hannibal Lokumbe: Veils of Justice (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic proudly announces the release of Veils of Justice: Trials, Tears, Transcendence, The Journey of Clara Luper, a sweeping orchestral and vocal tribute composed by the renowned Hannibal Lokumbe. This deeply moving album honors the legacy of Clara Luper: Oklahoma educator, activist, and civil rights trailblazer, whose courage transformed a nation. Also featured on the album are works honoring the civil rights movement and the work of Fannie Lou Hamer and John Brown.

Commissioned and performed by the OKCPHIL, this historic recording was shaped by voices from across the Oklahoma City community. Lokumbe collaborated with local leaders, artists, NAACP Youth Council members, and Luper’s family, including her daughter, Marilyn Luper Hildreth, to create a musical experience that echoes the pain, strength, and transcendence of the civil rights movement.

Along with the OKCPHIL this album features GRAMMY® Award-winning soprano Karen Slack, percussionist Brannen Temple, the Ambassador Choir (Sandra Thompson, Artistic Director), Canterbury Voices (Randy Ellefson, Director), violinist Patrick Conlon, spoken word artist Jabee Williams, vocalist Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch, and pianist Igor Lipinski.

“The idea of honoring civil rights leader Clara Luper comes from our vision of telling absolutely inspiring stories from Oklahoma City through orchestral music to an international audience,” said OKCPHIL Music Director, Alexander Mickelthwate. “Hannibal Lokumbe, an internationally celebrated composer is deeply anchored in the African American musical tradition. His work Trials, Tears, Transcendence gives a powerful voice of courage and determination standing up against injustice and literally transcending to a place of deep inner peace at the end of the music. I couldn’t be more honored to have all of us be part of the production.”

Lokumbe’s unique style described as a “spiritatorio,” blends gospel, jazz, spirituals, oratorio, and classical music into a soundscape that is both historical and strikingly contemporary.

Tracklist:
01 Trials, Tears, Transcendence_ The Journey of Clara Luper_ Veil 1
02 Trials, Tears, Transcendence_ The Journey of Clara Luper_ Veil 2
03 Veil 3
04 John Brown and Blue
05 Fannie Lou Hamer_ No. 1, I Believe in God
06 Fannie Lou Hamer_ No. 2, I Survived Winona County Jail
07 Fannie Lou Hamer_ No. 3, And the Pain of This Old Land
08 Fannie Lou Hamer_ No. 4, If I Have to Die
09 When the Peace Comes


Thanks to the Original customer!