Barbara Anselmi, Composer
Brian Hargrove, Lyricist
Carla Rose Arnone, Lyricist
Ernie Lijoi, Lyricist
Will Randall, Lyricist
Jill Abramovitz, Lyricist
Michael L. Cooper, Lyricist
Barbara started working as an accompanist and musical director while still in high school. After graduating with a bachelor of music from NYU she spent two years working on the business side of music, but her passion for musical theater got the best of her. She started music directing in regional houses and then for several off-broadway shows as well as new readings, and workshops, working with incredibly gifted actors and singers. It wasn't until September 11, 2001 that her composing career started. She wrote All Join Together as a reaction to 9/11 which ended up being the title song of a CD that raised over $30,000 for the NY Times 911 Fund. Within a month of that recording she was commissioned to write a childrens musical for the Anti-Defamation League and the JCC of the Upper West Side. That musical is The Orphan Train (book and lyrics by Susan Nanus) and has been published by Samuel French. Barbara then joined the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop where she began developing The Wedding Project with several lyricists. This project has now morphed into It Shoulda Been You, book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove with additional lyrics by Jill Abramovitz, Carla Rose Arnone, Michael L. Cooper, Ernie Lijoi and Will Randall. She also composed the music for an adaptation of A Christmas Carol this past December for The Acting Company Salon Series, starring F. Murray Abraham as Scrooge and Lynn Redgrave as the narrator. Barbara was a proud participant in the York Theater's NEO 2 concert, The Songwriter's Showcase for NAMT, Monday Night New Voices and Musical Mondays. In addition, her music has been performed at benefits and concerts in New York and throughout the country. As an arranger and orchestrator her work can be heard on Scott Alan's newest CD Keys. Barbara is also working on several other projects....The Studio with Josh Prince and a sci-fi spoof, Night of the Crab (with Joe McDonald and Lance Worth). Barbara is a member of The Dramatist Guild.
Barbara, Thanks for visiting our MySpace site and being our friend. We hope that all is well in your life. Black Angel released our third album in two years on Earth Day April 22, 2009. It is called "O' San Francisco". We asked Tiffany Lowe, granddaughter of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash (and daughter of country singer, Carlene Carter, and British rocker, Nick Lowe) to sing on the album. The top picture below is of Tiffany in the studio recording with us. The album is dedicated to a close associate of Black Angel who recently died who was a big Johnny Cash fan. We also have former Johnny Cash drummer, Danny Darling, playing on the album. We hope to be touring soon and we may be playing shows with former Black Angel singer, Audrey (Mrs. Ike) Turner. The bottom picture is of Black Angel playing at The Roxy in Los Angeles a few years ago with (left to right): Tomeka Haywood; me; Audrey Turner; and Ronnie Turner (son of Ike and Tina Turner on bass). Please check us out when we come to your town.
J. C. Martin Black Angel Santa Barbara, California
Hey, hope all is well in NY. I'll give you a call soon, things have been crazy here as usual, but okay. I put a couple new pics of Evan on my page, finally. I haven't taken many pictures lately, I've been a bad mommy. Talk to you soon.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH, I AM PERFORMING LIVE AT THIS NIGHT CLUB CALLED SPLASH. IT IS A SINGING COMPETITION. THE AUDIENCE PICKS THE WINNER SO I AM COUNTING ON YOU AND YOUR CREW TO COME ON DOWN AND ROOT ME ON WITH YOUR LUNG POWER. IT IS 21 AND OVER AND YOU MUST HAVE I.D. IT IS FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, AND YOU HAVE TO BE THERE AT 9PM ON THE DOT. THERE IS A DANCE PARTY AFTERWARDS, SO WON'T YOU COME DOWN AND BRING AT LEAST 200 OF YOUR FRIENDS. THE CLUB IS ON 17TH STREET BETWEEN 5TH AND 6TH AVENUE. TAKE THE F TRAIN TO 14 STREET AND GO OUT THE 16TH STREET EXIT. I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT. HIT ME BACK.
Hi Barbara; Thank you so much again for taking the time to listen and offer your thoughts and good luck wishes. I genuinely appreciate having had you as a resource. See you at the ol' Fandango 'round the Ides of September.---iw
My hubby had fun with you guys last week! It went REALLY well he said, but he hasn't heard anything....anyhoo...hope all is well! How is that theatreworks show going? Is it in NYC? See ya' soon.
hey, girl! sorry i couldn't call today -- getting ready for the concert on wednesday. check my latest blog entry for the text of my first choral piece! talk soon -- xoxo, c
hey, i wanted to ask you if you'd go see mike's show at la lanterna tonight, but now i'm not feeling well! we'll have to go another time -- you keep telling me about that place!
