Sweet Honey and Dr. Cornel West Raise their Voices in Distinctive Harmony

January 19, 2007

	Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please e-mail us.

	Sweet Honey In the Rock
	Photo by Dwight Carter



	Dr. Cornel West
	Photo courtesy of the artist

The Sovereign Music Series at Berklee soars to a new level of spirit, rhythm, and discourse with Black Music Matters, a program featuring Grammy Award-winning sextet Sweet Honey in the Rock, distinguished scholar and author Dr. Cornel West, and Berklee student gospel ensemble Overjoyed. This dynamic, perhaps historic, concert-talk will mine the rich subject matter of Black music past and present and weave the discussion with soul and lyrics to produce a gem unlike any other combination. Feast on voices with a message served a capella, full of heart and intellect that embody why Black Music Matters from the Berklee Performance Center (BPC), Thursday, February 1, at 8:15 p.m. General admission tickets are $25; seniors $18.75. Tickets are available at the Berklee box office or through Ticketmaster at 617 931-2000 or at ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call 617 747-2261 or visit the BPC website.

The one-of-a-kind pairing celebrates the new Africana Studies/Music and Society curriculum at Berklee developed by Dr. William Banfield. Africana Studies focuses on the history, culture, and meaning of black music, highlighting the role musicians have had in transforming society and the modern world, including their influence on culture, historical developments, and social-political movements.

Renowned ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock will celebrate 34 years together in 2007, vocalizing the wide spectrum of melodies that encompass Black music. This performance will be no exception with the possible delivery of blues, spirituals, reggae, African chants, and ancient lullabies. These talented women will lift their voices in rich, complex harmonies sure to demonstrate why Black Music Matters.

Dr. West, a graduate of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, has published 17 books and his major best seller Race Matters sold more than 400,000 copies. He is known for his provocative approach to the topics of culture, religion, politics, and music, and was influential in developing the popular Matrix trilogy film storyline. West will begin the evening, with turntable accompaniment, by addressing the issue of Black Music in culture, its impact globally and the importance of its study.

The Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee is an exciting eight-concert series, featuring jazz, Latin, rock, r&b, folk and other music styles. Berklee is pleased to welcome Borders as the supporting sponsor of the series. Concert series performances will include a Stevie Wonder tribute, an International Night with music from around the globe, and the extremely popular Singers Showcase.

Sweet Honey and Dr. Cornel West Raise their Voices in Distinctive Harmony

Related Links