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 is about to get the answer to a prayer he made 25 years ago.

The jazz trumpeter and composer regularly played in nightclubs where patrons had to lay down quite a bit of money for dinner and a show. But the experience didn't sit well with him.

Lokumbe remembered something his grandfather told him about planting seeds deep in the ground, so that they are sure to take root and thrive. Lokumbe wanted to do the same with his music.

Lokumbe is this year's guest composer for 

. But it's much more than just a musical performance. For the past several months, thousands of students - ranging from 1st grade to high school - in 39 different schools have been learning about Lokumbe, his music, and the events that inspire it. They've been learning about African and African-American music, slavery and civil rights.

This coming Monday and Tuesday those students will fill the 

 four times over, as their studying culminates in this performance. It will feature a performance of different types of African music, as well as the premiere of a new work by Lokumbe.

For Lokumbe, that's approximately 6,500 seeds being planted deep in the ground.

The soft-spoken composer says the piece, titled "In the Spirit of Being," is a bit like his life story:

The piece could also serve as an allegory for many people's lives. It is divided into four "veils" - as opposed to movements - titled "The Gift of Life," "Struggle/The Wall of Pain," "Metamorphosis" and finally "Ever Unending Circles of Peace." It features a jazz quartet, a children's chorus, a mixed chorus and soloist 

In addition to the children's concerts, there is also 

a public performance this Sunday afternoon at 4pm. 

What does Lokumbe hope people will take away from the performance?

Lokumbe, who lives in Texas, says his work in the Twin Cities does not end with these concerts. He will be back to tend to the seeds he's planted.

"I have family here now," he says, smiling.

Arts and Culture

State of the Arts Blog

Marianne Combs

Author

For the past several months, thousands of Twin Cities children have been studying African and African-American music in preparation for a series of performances starting Sunday.

Witness composer Hannibal Lokumbe plants seeds with music

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