Brooklyn native Kelijah Dunton (b. 1999) began serious music study in high school as an alto saxophonist, and he continued to play with the ensembles of the Metropolitan Music Community. He is a self-taught composer who has been shaped by the diversity of the neighborhoods he has lived in (Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Crown Heights) and his memorable experiences in his high school band. See more at his website, as well as …And We Were Heard and the Wind Repertory Project.
Dunton wrote Wishes and Wantings in 2023, inspired by his life-long love of Japanese culture, particularly anime. It was commissioned by a consortium of several school ensembles and conductors. Dunton writes:
In my high school days, I spent a lot of my time consuming and learning about Japanese culture & it’s fascinating history. I’ve always had the desire to listen to and emulate modern Japanese music from J-Pop to movie scoring giants such as Joe Hisaishi and the like. I have a great appreciation for the culture because it has probably influenced me the most in my musical writing and has opened my eyes to different forms a musical thought can take.
Now here we are with my new piece, “Wishes & Wantings” ; A modern Japanese inspired piece that speaks to my own personal experience being surrounded by Japanese culture growing up and what it also means to so many other people that I know and relate to from all walks of life.
Wishes and Wantings in live performance:
Learn more about the piece at Dunton’s website.