A Bold Fusion of Social Conscience, Classical Elegance, and Whispered Undercurrents of Jazz
Earl MacDonald’s new project, the Black Square Ensemble, brings together an extraordinary mix of voices and instruments: a bass-baritone opera singer from the Metropolitan Opera, a classical cellist, a Brazilian percussionist, and a versatile pianist and composer whose work bridges jazz and classical traditions. Together, they set contemporary poetry to music that blends Western art traditions with global influences, creating performances that respond to pressing social issues such as climate change, human rights, and racial justice.
Described by the Hartford Courant as “a magical, musical alchemist of hip hybrids,” MacDonald draws on contemporary chamber practices and eclectic musical sources to create work that challenges conventions, provokes thought, and inspires empathy and social awareness.
Inspired by Radical Art and Social Change
The ensemble’s name pays homage to Kazimir Malevich’s 1915 painting Black Square—a stark, revolutionary work that shattered convention and embraced abstraction. Like its namesake, the ensemble challenges expectations—breaking away from stylistic boundaries in favor of an expressive language rooted in innovation, abstraction, and purposeful artistry. MacDonald’s compositions don’t simply draw from classical and improvisational traditions—they weave them together like strands of a tapestry, creating a soundscape that is intricate yet effortlessly fluid.
Meet the Musicians
Earl MacDonald, piano/composition
Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut. His accolades include a 2022 Covenant Award from GMA Canada, the Connecticut Office of the Arts’ 2020 Artistic Excellence Award, the Sammy Nestico Award for big band arranging, and two JUNO nominations for jazz album of the year. As a composer and pianist, MacDonald’s work bridges jazz and classical traditions, providing the harmonic foundation and rhythmic flexibility that propel the group’s fluid, genre-defying sound.
Rod Nelman, bass-baritone
A powerful performer praised as a “superb singer-actor” (The Washington Times), Nelman has graced stages with the Metropolitan Opera, New World Symphony, Washington National Opera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Arena di Verona. His rich, commanding voice adds weight and dramatic intensity to the ensemble’s sonic palette, anchoring each piece with emotional gravitas and storytelling depth.
Amanda Gookin, cello
A bold cultural activist and founding member of the Grammy-nominated PUBLIQuartet, Gookin is known for her fearless artistry and feminist advocacy. Through the Forward Music Project, she continues to champion equity in the arts and push creative boundaries. Her cello playing acts as both a melodic and harmonic force—shifting effortlessly between lush lyricism and percussive urgency—adding expressive nuance and evocative textures to the ensemble’s sound.
Rogério Boccato, percussion
Featured on multiple Grammy-winning and nominated albums, Boccato has collaborated with jazz greats like Maria Schneider and Danilo Perez, as well as Brazilian legends including Hermeto Pascoal. His expertise in Brazilian rhythm is sought after at institutions such as the Manhattan School of Music and NYU. Within the ensemble, his intricate layering of rhythmic colors creates a sense of movement and spontaneity, shaping a musical dialogue that is both exploratory and deeply grounded.
With this nuanced interplay, the Black Square Ensemble creates an experience that is fresh, innovative, and deeply moving.
Social Consciousness at the Core
Through meticulous settings of contemporary poetry, the ensemble confronts urgent social issues:
- Human rights
- Climate change
- Gun violence
- Racial justice
One centerpiece work is a newly composed song cycle featuring poems by UConn English Professor V. Penelope Pelizzon. These texts explore climate justice, ecological disruption, and questions like what happens when pollinators vanish or how climate change drives human migration. By blending music, poetry, and scientific insight from UConn Professors David Wagner and Elle Ouimet, the ensemble offers performances that stir reflection and conversation.
Additional featured poets include Sara Goudarzi, Rev. Dr. Michael Pfleger, and Everette Hoagland. MacDonald’s careful attention to word painting and musical imagery ensures that each performance lingers long after the final note.
More Than Music—A Movement
This isn’t just another crossover project. Every composition is crafted with integrity, intention, and artistic responsibility—aiming not just to blend genres, but to connect listeners through emotion, purpose, and beauty.
As MacDonald puts it, “It’s not just music. It’s a movement. A call to listen. To reflect. To act.”
With new compositions set to premiere before entering the studio in November 2025, audiences can expect an immersive experience that redefines artistic boundaries and invites listeners into something entirely new.
