I had the pleasure of seeing a performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock at Lincoln Center Jazz this weekend. Audio samples of their music can be found at this link: SHIR
What you really want to do, though, is to go see and hear them live. Shirley Saxton, the founder of Children of Deaf Adults (CODA), who was seen first onstage while the other singers were only heard, makes a beautiful visual pun. She is the loveliest Sign Language interpreter, communicating equally with everyone. Her message is clear, her hands are graceful and brilliant, and her motion adds a layer of dance to the extraordinary singing voices of current members, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Casel, and Ysaye Barnwell. For this concert, to augment the jazz message of the event, Sweet Honey in the Rock was accompanied by Stacy Wade (musical director who also works with Al Green); Parker McCallister, a young and outrageously talented bassist; Jovol Bell, the versatile percussionist. This engagement comprised their tribute concert to the women's voices we have lost: Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, and Odetta, with an additional tribute to Abby Lincoln. The concert concluded with a richly deserved standing O.
I haven't heard Sweet Honey sing live since the 1970s. I missed an evolution. Before singing Odetta's medley of freedom songs, which is a historical encyclopedia written in song, Barnwell told the audience that it would be a good idea for us to learn them: "You're going to need them," she said. Alas for us. For relief from the fears of the present moment, listen to "Breaths," especially. It will keep you warm on a cold night.
What you really want to do, though, is to go see and hear them live. Shirley Saxton, the founder of Children of Deaf Adults (CODA), who was seen first onstage while the other singers were only heard, makes a beautiful visual pun. She is the loveliest Sign Language interpreter, communicating equally with everyone. Her message is clear, her hands are graceful and brilliant, and her motion adds a layer of dance to the extraordinary singing voices of current members, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Casel, and Ysaye Barnwell. For this concert, to augment the jazz message of the event, Sweet Honey in the Rock was accompanied by Stacy Wade (musical director who also works with Al Green); Parker McCallister, a young and outrageously talented bassist; Jovol Bell, the versatile percussionist. This engagement comprised their tribute concert to the women's voices we have lost: Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, and Odetta, with an additional tribute to Abby Lincoln. The concert concluded with a richly deserved standing O.
I haven't heard Sweet Honey sing live since the 1970s. I missed an evolution. Before singing Odetta's medley of freedom songs, which is a historical encyclopedia written in song, Barnwell told the audience that it would be a good idea for us to learn them: "You're going to need them," she said. Alas for us. For relief from the fears of the present moment, listen to "Breaths," especially. It will keep you warm on a cold night.
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