Awadagin Pratt

Awadagin Pratt is a music triple-threat performer, getting the Peabody Conservatory’s 1st college student awarded simultaneous overall performance levels in three areas: piano, violin, and performing. Nevertheless, he spends nearly all his professional profession like a pianist carrying out as soloist, as collaborator in chamber music tasks, so that as educator at a number of applications, whether at colleges or celebrations. Pratt’s father’s family members in Sierra Leone appreciated education and individuals were taught to try out piano or body organ, aswell as play sports activities. The same ideals had been offered to Pratt, who discovered both piano and violin as a kid, and despite being truly a ranked tennis participant and offered sports activities scholarships, moved into the College or university of Illinois on the early age of 16 to review music. After graduating from Peabody, Pratt was honored first prize on the renowned Naumberg Competition in 1992. He was the initial African-American musician to earn that honor, and it had been the very first time he sensed financially secure being a performer. Pratt received a whole lot of advantageous and deserved interest third ,, including being agreed upon to a special agreement with EMI and getting an Avery Fischer Profession Offer in 1994. A minimal piano bench, dreadlocks, and outfit casual performance clothes are his personal, using the last designed to make traditional music much less intimidating to everyone. Admirers remember that when he performs, the music and his interpretation consider precedence over every other factor. His first documenting was titled QUITE A DISTANCE from Regular, referencing his years as a child in Regular, IL. Various other recordings consist of Live from South Africa, a disk of Beethoven sonatas, and 2002’s Play Bach using the St. Lawrence String Quartet.