Preparing for a final opera performance
Clip: 3/24/2023 | 3m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
In this outtake from "J'Nai Bridges Unamplified," J'Nai prepares for a final appearance.
In this outtake from "J'Nai Bridges Unamplified," J'Nai prepares for her final appearance in "Written in Stone" at the Kennedy Center. The following day would be another momentous day for her, her world premiere in Adolphus Hailstork's "A Knee on the Neck." "It's been such a journey and as much as it is kind of sad to finish, I feel like a different person in a way."
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
Preparing for a final opera performance
Clip: 3/24/2023 | 3m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
In this outtake from "J'Nai Bridges Unamplified," J'Nai prepares for her final appearance in "Written in Stone" at the Kennedy Center. The following day would be another momentous day for her, her world premiere in Adolphus Hailstork's "A Knee on the Neck." "It's been such a journey and as much as it is kind of sad to finish, I feel like a different person in a way."
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How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(J'Nai vocalizing) (piano note playing) ♪ Here in the quiet ♪ ♪ Quiet ♪ ♪ Alone ♪ ♪ Before the flock flies in ♪ ♪ I hear ♪ ♪ I hear ♪ ♪ I hear, I am here ♪ ♪ Here I am ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ (orchestral music begins) ♪ Alone with love and sin ♪ ♪ Alone with love and sin ♪ ♪ Alone with love and sin ♪ ♪ Alone with love and sin ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ ♪ I am here ♪ (orchestral music stops) ♪ Father and son, father and son ♪ ♪ I stand between them ♪ ♪ These men ♪ ♪ Son and husband ♪ (J'Nai sighing) - Tonight's bittersweet actually.
It's the final show of "Written in Stone" here at the Kennedy Center with Washington National Opera.
We've been here for now six weeks.
And it's hard to imagine the last show, you know when we first began.
But it's been such a journey and as much as it is kind of sad to finish, I feel like a different person in a way.
(people singing) Closing "Written in Stone" today and then tomorrow I sing a world premiere, another world premiere by Adolphus Hailstork, "A Knee on the Neck," which is also a very emotional piece that requires just a lot of depth.
I'm a little tired, I will admit that but right now I'm focusing on "Written in Stone" because that's what it requires, you know.
One thing at a time, one step at a time.
One moment, and one day at a time.
But right now, I am on a high and I just, I'm so grateful for this moment.
Even though it's closing night, I can't wait to be back here, and most of all just can't wait to get out on stage and do my thing.
(melodic music playing)
The history of Black artists in country music
Video has Closed Captions
Black musicians have always had a place in the history of country music. (2m 20s)
Video has Closed Captions
Follow two performers as they break down barriers in opera and country music. (3m 53s)
The nomadic life of an opera singer
Video has Closed Captions
J'Nai Bridges talks about the pros and cons of life as an opera singer. (2m 38s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...