We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Horace Alexander Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Horace Alexander , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most or if not THE most meaningful projects I have ever worked on, was conducting the NATIONAL SYMPHONY OF SOUTH AFRICA (1993) which was during apartheid. This concert was a welcome home concert for native South African Abdullah Ibrahim-the nations most prolific composer.

That project required me to write several arrangements for the symphony orchestra and a jazz combo. Prior to this experience I had no previous involvement in writing for any orchestra anywhere. This provided my foundation and from that foundation the work that I do in the King Cole Legacy Experience stands on the shoulders of the opportunity I was given by Mr. Ibrahim.

It was during this time that I truly realized my purpose as a musician. I realized that true success in contribution is not measured by money, record sales or “the bright lights”. This was a social game changer that provided South Africans with something they had not seen or heard from their flagship orchestra. To be involved in using my musical skills to make a real change was self defining for me. From that moment I knew what I really wanted out of music and life in general.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a career music professional with contributions and achievements that span four decades. These experiences have allowed me to travel, perform and record in over 20 countries and 46 US states, with such artists as BB King. Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, The Manhattans, The Temptations, Jonny Nash, Youssou N’dour (Senegal), Freddie Fender, Nancy Wilson and Regina Belle. I have also created orchestral arrangements for the Boise Philharmonic, Spokane Symphony, The McCall Summer Festival Orchestra and a special arrangement honoring Smokey Robinson for a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.

Believe it or not I actually got into music by accident. I attended college at Texas Southern University (Houston) on a marching band scholarship. When I discovered the participation required approximately 8 hours per day, I figured I might as well be a music major. So there it is! That’s the truth! Truthfully I wanted to be a journalist.

In terms of products and services I provide, I am contractor for music, I put together bands and orchestras, I am hired to write arrangements for various instrumental and vocal settings. I am also a musician for hire. I am a producer; for instance a I am currently co- producing a new project called the KING COLE LEGACY EXPERIENCE; a concert series paying tribute to Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.

My work as a musician is tailor made to fit the artistic domain and desires of each separate client.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I have survived three near fatal incidences in my life. None as a result of my own doing. Each time I accepted the eventuality that I might not survive. Upon surviving, I promised myself I would be a better human being and subsequently a better music artist and contributor. Each time this has happened to me I have walked away from the situation with strength and resolve and commitment. There is a reason why I am still here.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Having spent an equal amount of time in parallel to my music career I have taught at seven colleges and universities; with additional time at the high school, middle and elementary school level. It is my opinion with such a vast “hands on” experience of teaching that more abundant resources should be spent by our government to make it possible for all students to experience arts in a meaningful way. Other countries have been doing this for years because they value the arts as part of what makes an individual a whole person. Our country is littered with broken people and broken souls who are searching for what we as artisans offer. We need money to be spent in the schools from grade school up for meaningful life experiences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/locrian67_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088047666686
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/horace-alexander-young-97157b178/
• Other: www.instagram.com/kingcolelegacyexperience

Image Credits
Photography by Michael Hart from Hart Photography International Musicians Magazine published by American Federation of Musicians