Experience the music of the Great Migration, the journey of African Americans from the South to industrialized cities of the Northeast, Midwest, and West during the early 20th century up to the 1970s. Hear a survey of music from the African diaspora that set the scene for this migration, including jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and more; a personal and passionate exploration of artists who made the Great Migration; and more.
Trumpeter Nicholas Payton traces the path of African rhythms from their arrival in the Caribbean through their journey to New Orleans and on to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, and New York. He explores how the music of New Orleans became, in a sense, the world’s first popular music and how its greatest practitioner—Louis Armstrong—became one of the first pop stars. You’ll hear how swing, bebop, R&B, hip-hop, and more share a DNA that connects people around the world.
Performers
Nicholas Payton, Trumpet
with Lady Fingaz, DJ Burniss Travis, Bass Jonathan Barber, Drums Daniel Sadownick, Percussion
Two Wings: The Music of Black America in Migration
Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran draw upon their own family lore and the historical record of the Great Migration to compose tableaux that explore a continuum of music from rhythm and blues to gospel, classical to Broadway, work songs to rock ‘n’ roll. Experience the ingenuity of these artists as they take a journey from the American South after emancipation to all points North, West, and beyond—shining a light on the epic event that changed the sound of America forever.
Performers
Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran, Producers Jason Moran, Piano Alicia Hall Moran, Mezzo-Soprano Lawrence Brownlee, Tenor Pastor Smokie Norful, Piano and Vocals Crystal Dickinson, Actor Brandon J. Dirden, Actor Harriet Tubman: The Band ·· Brandon Ross, Guitar ·· Melvin Gibbs, Bass ·· JT Lewis, Drums Hilda Harris, Mezzo-Soprano Toshi Reagon, Guitar and Vocals featuring Isabel Wilkerson, Author
with Imani Winds ·· Brandon Patrick George, Flute ·· Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Oboe ·· Mark Dover, Clarinet ·· Jeff Scott, French Horn ·· Monica Ellis, Bassoon The Harlem Chamber Players Joseph Joubert, Music Director
The Great Migration ushered in a century of music shaped and performed by African American artists—and particularly women of color—across the country. With her debut album, Run Deep, and in this one-night-only performance, Deva Mahal takes inspiration from generations of female vocalists and songwriters, including special guests Meshell Ndegeocello and the Resistance Revival Chorus.
Performers
Deva Mahal Resistance Revival Chorus Meshell Ndegeocello, Musical Director and Special Guest
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