The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #84171 Message #1552886
Posted By: Joe Offer
30-Aug-05 - 01:50 PM
Thread Name: Origin: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free
Subject: RE: Chords: Wish I Knew How to be Free- Mary Trav
Look here at the Library of Congress to find this:
This manuscript is a holograph score for strings of "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free" composed by jazz pianist and educator Dr. Billy Taylor. Although penned in 1954, the piece did not enjoy popularity until the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and throughout the decade of the 1960s. The title expresses one of the fundamental themes of the Movement: the wish to live free in America with dignity. A vocal rendition sung by Nina Simone brought attention to the piece, during her 1967 RCA Records album release of Silk and Soul. Seated at upright piano, Dr. Taylor is surrounded by fellow musicians in what appears to be a rehearsal session during the early 50s.
Click here to get to the Website of the composer, Dr. Billy Taylor - there's a link for downloading free sheet music, and a jazz MP3 by the composer.
-Joe Offer-