As Sean Blackman stepped onto the stage of the grand Orchestra Hall in Detroit in
2010, more than 1,800 audience members erupted into a standing ovation – before
he ever played a single note.
During the next two hours, Blackman, along with 18 musicians and dancers from
around the world – remarkable artists whom he chose carefully for the debut of his
theatrical concert titled In Transit – took the audience on a musical and visual global
journey that elated critics. Audience members – from the city's elite socialites to the
city's trendsetters - are still talking about the experience. Since then, subsequent In
Transit concerts have sold out.
Sean Blackman is the hub of world music in Detroit. A master of the acoustic nylon string guitar, a
composer, a producer and a visionary. He is the creator of the large theatre production called In Transit -
Travel The World Through Music & Dance. He attracts the attention of top musicians worldwide who flock
to Detroit to help make his creative visions come to fruition.
While composing, Blackman ignores borders and boundaries, which is one of many reasons why his
unique multi-cultural music and shows are so successful. "When I compose a song, in my head I'm
familiar with all these different instruments from around the world," Blackman said in a published interview
with the MetroTimes. "In one song, I'll hear an African harp mixed with an Armenian kanun and I'll hear
Brazilian percussion. I have to create it, I have to bring the music to life."
Blackman's unique world music style that mixes music from different countries with Detroit jazz is
influenced by Armenian folk, South and West African music, music of Pakistan and India, along with
Brazilian Jazz and Flamenco. And of course growing up in Detroit – jazz, blues, rock and soul. His most
recent CD, In Transit, gained international attention from the onset and was engineered by Grammy
Award winner Jerry Boys (Buena Vista Social Club) and features artists who also perform with heavy-
hitters like Youssou N'dour, Aretha Franklin and Peter Gabriel.
He is known to scour the world in search of its finest musicians – whether it's undiscovered talent in tiny
bars in Detroit or established artists at prestigious venues in Spain – He then connects them all on one
stage, blending cultures with his belief that harmony between people and groups can be achieved
through music.
His current musical success is a far cry from his younger years. Growing up on notorious Eight Mile Road
in Detroit, Blackman escaped life's heaviness through guitar, playing it every night, falling asleep with it in
his arms.
As an adult he then played night after night to packed houses in Detroit with his successful world music
group, which sold tens of thousands of cds in one city alone. His current CD In Transit sells worldwide.
Today, In Transit, the stage production is his focal point - taking the show to theaters around the world.
He's been repeatedly honored for his musicianship including multiple Detroit Music Awards for
Outstanding World Instrumentalist, World Recording, World Artist and Jazz Writer. He's recorded five CDs
of original music, launched hugely successful festivals and recently scored music for the
documentary The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato, which teamed with National Geographic and aired
on PBS.
Blackman's held prestigious positions as chairman of entertainment for prominent music festivals
including the Birmingham African Fest and Detroit's legendary Dally in the Alley. He co-founded and
launched The Birmingham Armenian Festival and worked as creative director of entertainment for
corporate events for Red Bull, Chrysler and the grand opening of the
McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport – which attracted worldwide attention as one of the nation's
most state-of-art terminals.
Whether he's on the streets of Brazil, in front of thousands at prestigious theaters, inside smoldering
hidden nightclubs or recording studios, Blackman's music is disciplined from a lifetime of training and will
continue to evolve through his deep passion to integrate the rhythms and instruments of different cultures.
One of a handful of musicians worldwide taking part in this cutting edge world hybrid approach - creating
new waves in music.
This all acoustic record was recorded live at the White Room Studio in Detroit by Grammy award winning sound engineer, Jerry Boys of the Buena Vista Social Club. Internationally acclaimed musicians perform on these original compositions: percussionists of Youssou N'dours group M'baye dieye Faye & Assane Thiam, bassist from Mansour Seck & Cheikh Lo's group Pathe Jassi, master Kora player Mady Kouyate as well as Detroit's jazz legend Wendell Harrison on clarinet and many more.
All songs written & produced by Sean Blackman.
Co-producer: Pathe Jassi.
Co-writers: Pathe Jassi, Meta, Mady Kouyate, Nanny Assis, Jeff Ehrinpreis, Scot Sheikh.
Mixed & mastered at Livingston Studios in London by Jerry Boys. CD, "In Transit" is available at www.seanblackman.com
