On June 17, 2015, a 21-year-old white man sat through a prayer service at “Mother Emanuel” African Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Targeted as one of America’s oldest black churches, and historically significant civil rights epicenters, the gunman opened fire on the congregation, resulting in the deaths of nine, innocent, black members:

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton | Cynthia Graham Hurd | Susie Jackson | Ethel Lee Lance Depayne Middleton-Doctor | Clementa C. Pinckney | Tywanza Sanders

Christopher Coles, saxophonist and composer, grapples with modern social issues, sorting emotions through musical performance and composition. In the aftermath of the shooting, Coles was moved to write the Nine Lives project. Nine Lives is a contribution to the long tradition of protest music, a history integral to black music. This interdisciplinary, four-movement suite for jazz ensemble is a narrative of the tragedy as it unfolded, illuminating racial injustice plaguing the country and commemorating the nine who were killed through animation, dance, instrumental music and spoken-word.

The piece explores the fear driving the perpetrator to act as he did, how mob mentality affects racial awareness in this country, and most importantly, how constant self-examination and empathy can bring about positive transformation. Through presenting the concert-length version of Nine Lives, listeners and performers alike are invited to a shared space of reflection.

The musicians and collaborators involved in this project represent a cross-section of influential artists in Northeast Ohio and the Midwest region. Everyone involved in the Nine Lives project is active in their respective fields through education, performance, and community engagement. In 2022, the group released the Nine Lives record, produced by world renowned trumpeter and pedagogue Sean Jones.