Roy “Futureman” Wooten presented “The Black Mozart Ensemble” Feb. 21 at The Theatre at Patterson Park.

The show was an innovative mix that highlighted 18th Century French composer Joseph Boulogne-Chevalier de Saint Georges.

Wooten (percussionist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones) composed, conducted and performed on wooden beat-boxes in the show and furthered St. Georges’ idea of the “Circle of Harmony”-many artists, many sounds, coming together as a whole.

Futureman’s “Circle of Harmony” was a unique mix of sounds. The performance consisted of a video introduction, three spoken performances, three songs sung by Chinese vocalist Xiu Hong Feng, interpretive dances and several orchestrated pieces composed by both St. Georges and by Wooten.

The MTSU wind orchestra performed behind Futureman’s five-piece string ensemble, lending a full and more diverse sound. The French horns gave a sad and eerie tone to the composition. Also in the mix were high pitched taps from a steel drum, the precocious plucking of a banjo and synthesized noises performed by DJ Black Cat Sylvester.

The show was a mixture between a professional orchestra performance and a high school talent show. The interpretive dance by Chanda Ford and the hoedown style, hip-hop choreography from Todd Johnson and the Riverdale Half-Timers were performed well. But the microphone malfunctions and the choppy transitions between sets diverted from the main purpose of the production.

Wooten’s compositions were quite innovative and extraordinary, but the lack of excitement from the performers impinged on the audience. Though it seemed a few MTSU sound engineers were captivated by the extreme mixing of styles and instruments.

Wooten did achieve his goal for the night: to have fun and to allow the young people to express their talents.