Mama C O’Neal journeyed from Tanzania, South Africa to be with us at UC Merced, happily noting, “that’s how you know I love you all!”
Mama C, a recognized poet and jazz soul musician, traveled with her musicians: Tarika Lewis, Avotcja and Val Serran. These jazz soul performers came from backgrounds as close to us as Boston, and as far as Madagascar.
Mama C’s written reflections are widely acclaimed, and she is the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries.
She began her freestyle performance by playing the Nyatiti. Her Kenyan instrument seemed to be a cross between a bass guitar and harp, which harmonized well with the blues violin’s deep classical sounds.
She sang “Don’t you give up. Don’t you give up…” Her opening song focused on a truth: determination and motivation can get you where you want to be. Her lyrics were peppered with personable jokes: “When those lessons get hard, don’t give up. When you walking through the snow – it don’t snow here does it? – don’t give up.”
Mama C asked a Bobcat in the crowd, “You feeling it? Do you feel like doing a verse on that one?”
As the song came to an end, Mama C segued flawlessly into a poem. “Sometime in life, it seems we’re falling three steps backwards… Disappointment and tears try to drown us… We just keep on moving…”
Her soulful voice blended with the jazz soul of her band. And her personality produced infectious smiles in the audience.
Following the poem, Mama C and her band members transitioned into a rhythmic dance, and a student came dancing down himself. Shortly after, two other students came walking down to dance. And then another woman from the crowd. They danced until the end of the song, and then Mama C resumed her freestyle singing.
Mama C and her band stirred up movement in the audience during their performance. Their cultural musical roots manifested a unique song and vibe, compelling the crowd to work their way up to the stage, and dance freestyle.
Salvatore Angrisani
Staff Writer
sangrisani@ucmerced.edu