HEARding Cats Collective is pleased to present new compositions from Glen “Papa” Wright. Papa has been recording a new composition each month during the quarantine period, all documented on video by Jackie Wright.

The documentation serves as a testament to his creativity and resourcefulness during a time when live performance was not possible. It is a fascinating example of the way in which he has adapted to maintain an artistic practice during an unprecedented global disruption.

(The presentation will take place on the HEARding Cats Collective YouTube channel, April 23 - 8PM, link below)

Glen “Papa” Wright is a percussionist who has been teaching and performing for over 45 years. For 23 years he taught percussion at St. Louis Conservatory and Schools for the Arts (CASA) in St. Louis, MO. He taught St. Louis Community College’s Applied Music students for 3 years. “Papa” has been a teaching artist with Springboard for more than 25 years.

“Papa” performs with St. Louis Symphony musicians on various projects. He has accompanied local poets, such as East St. Louis’s Poet Laureate Eugene Redmond and the late St. Louis Poet Laureates Shirley Leflore and Michael Castro. He recently recorded an avant-garde CD entitled “KUVUKA”, featuring Greg Mills on piano and “Papa” on drum set. His group, Wind Spirit, features him playing twin kalimba.

The January 2018 issue of St. Louis Magazine features an article entitled, “The Many Facets of Jackie and “Papa” Wright.” It is an interview, not only discussing “Papa’s” music, but also how he and his wife perform as a duo working in disciplines as diverse as storytelling and puppetry. In 2012, “Papa” received the Luminary Award from Springboard for his percussion workshops and residencies with young children in St. Louis City and County Schools. “Papa” enhances stories with percussion with his storyteller wife and they received the St. Louis Magazine 2007 A-List Award for Best Story Time. “Papa” received the Progressive Youth Connection’s 2006 World of Children Award for his work with children through Young Audiences of St. Louis. He received the 2005 Pillar Award given by the Intercommunity Housing Association for dedication to serving the poor of St. Louis.