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Hopefully it means that there is a greater acceptance of individual qualifications and less consideration of skin hues.” Becton’s other credits as conductor include “Memphis,” “The Color Purple,” “Baby Its You” and “The Wiz.” We are the offspring of such trailblazers as Joyce Brown, Linda Twine, Harold Wheeler, Luther Henderson, and more. “It also means that other Blacks are getting their creations supported and produced for a larger Diaspora. “Having three other Black conductors on Broadway at this historic time means that we are beginning to be recognized for our abilities as trained musicians and artists,” said Becton. Shelton Becton is currently conducting, accompanying and, also, acting in “Lady Day At The Emerson Bar and Grill” now on Broadway. Joseph is conductor of the hit show “Motown the Musical.” A few of his other credits include associate conductor of the musicals “The Color Purple” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Joubert’s work as an orchestrator is represented in the shows “Violet” and “The Color Purple.” Let’s hope this positive trend keeps up!” Talent should be recognized no matter what the color of your skin is. At least we can say we’ve come a long way in this business of discrimination that there’s hope for us as a people. Of course it shouldn’t have to be a big deal. When I was coming up in the business there were Margaret Harris and Linda Twine. There are so few Black players in pits also but I can count on one hand the few Black conductors we’ve had. We’ve had so few Black conductors on Broadway that we need to celebrate this moment. Joseph Joubert added “First of all, I don’t think this has ever happened before. The only negative thing about being in this group is that it’s so small.” This group of men can compose, arrange, orchestrate, and conduct anything. Zane says: “I’m so proud to be a part of this group of men that I know personally as well as professionally.
He is also, dance arranger for the current hit shows “Motown The Musical” and “Pippin” and served as conductor for the seminal “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.” Here are quotes from those four Broadway conductors: Zane Mark, is the most recent addition to the list of conductors with his show “Holler If You Hear Me,” just opening on Broadway at the Palace Theatre. However, all four had something to say when asked what this moment meant to them. Broadway veterans Shelton Becton, Joseph Joubert, Zane Mark and Daryl Waters were too busy to even wrap their brains around this important moment.
These four men of music during one moment in time found themselves simultaneously heading Broadway orchestras. This marks the first time in the history of Broadway that this many African-Americans are in executive roles in major productions running contemporaneously. New York City’s world famous Broadway industry may have just concluded another box office breaking season however, there is no time line when it comes to making American Theater history for there are four African-Americans doing just that. THE MEN BEHIND THE MUSIC-The men in front of the orchestra and behind the music are from left: Daryl Waters, music supervisor and conductor for After Midnight, recalling Duke Ellington’s years at the Cotton Club Zane Mark, music director and conductor for Holler If Ya Hear Me, inspired by the late hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur Joseph Joubert, music director and conductor for Motown The Musical, about Berry Gordy’s famed music label and Shelton Becton, conductor, pianist and performer in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, about the legendary Billie Holliday.
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