Iona’s favorite place is the beach where the seagulls swirling satiates her young soul. But when she’s at home, she is learning that relationships can be challenging. Iona’s younger Brother can ‘do no wrong’, her Uncle is always around helping Mama who is mostly unforgiving, and Daddy does what he can to be a respite. As Iona comes of age, one argument with Mama too many sends her flying into the unknown chapters of her life.

Set in a time before cellphones, Iona Flies Away is about a black girl who uneasily grows into a woman. She’s seeking love and significance because in life that’s what should happen.

Musical Compositions by Kelly Sloan & Chris Vega with Christine Joseph, Tristan Alaba & Swang.

Lyrics by Kelly Sloan, Tanisha Christie & Christine Joseph

Featuring: Vocals: K Sloan as Iona, Christine Joseph as Mama, Darby Davis as Daddy, Shawn Shafner as Simon/Brown. Additional vocals: Tanisha Christie, Sauda Jackson & Chris Vega. Music: Drums & Percussion: Nick Neuberg; Guitar: Sean Harkness on Wondering. All Other Instruments: Chris Vega. Recording Engineer: Josh Salant, Chris Vega & Matthew Nielson. Mixing Engineer: Matthew Nielson.

This work was created, in part, through the Artist in Residence Program at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Jerome Robbins Foundation and the Jerome Foundation; and the artists involved in this project who gave considerable time and effort.

ABOUT THE COLLABORATORS

Kelly “K” Sloan is a singer/song writer and actress that hails from Detroit Michigan. As music has constantly been an inspiration in her artistry, she is beyond excited to be taking part in the Poets and Writers Seventh Annual Cross Cultural Reading.  Her recent New York credits include, "Both my Grandfathers" at Lincoln Center Education, "SANDBOX" at The Fire This Time One Act Play festival. "That Black Mermaid Man Lady" at New Dramatists. As well as music venues Prohibition and Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre. 

Chris Vega who is the son of Latin dance legend Joe Vega, had an early exposure to live music as he watched the famous Latin big bands led by Tito Puente and Machito performing behind his father. There were always various toy instruments around the house, such as a guitar, bongos, a recorder and an organ. The first time Chris would pick up a real instrument was in 5th grade. Wanting to play the cello but being too small to handle the instrument comfortably, he settled on the violin. This would be his musical path until hearing "Good Times" by Chic and it's iconic bass line played by Bernard Edwards. From that moment, Chris was obsessed with learning the bass guitar. 

Shortly after graduating college with a degree in music theory and composition, Chris hooked up with a popular NYC band called Bang The Drum, which featured current Blues sensation Regina Bonelli as lead vocalist and songwriter that fused pop, rock, funk and Afro/Cuban rhythms for five years. He then crossed paths with vocal powerhouse Amy Douglas for the next ten years and enjoyed regional acclaim for their live shows, traveling around the Northeast music scene and headlining several music festivals. During this time, Chris also played on the club hit "Let It Rain" by Soul Solution featuring dance music icon Carolyn Harding. He also performed at the 1999 Espoo Jazz Festival in Finland, which featured Ray Charles as well as The Yellow Jackets as the headlining artists.

The last few years has found Chris working with various artists around New York City, including Kelly Sloan as her music director for her backing band The Melodics. He serves as the musical director for her backing band, The Melodics. In addition to working with Kelly, Chris has also been doing a lot of corporate work locally, nationally and abroad, teaching and promoting the message of music and the importance of the bass. He considers himself immensely blessed to be able to have a career doing what he loves and gets great joy from giving back and sharing his talent with the world. 

Christine Joseph (additional lyrics & melodies): Christine is a singer, songwriter living in Brooklyn.

This work was created, in part, through the Artist in Residence Program at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Jerome Robbins Foundation and the Jerome Foundation.