If the human voice is the most expressive instrument of all, then this is one of the most expressive evenings of music you’ll ever hear. Featuring vocal masters Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Moira Smiley, Kid Pan Alley’s Because We Have Music free livestream concert celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King on Sunday, January 24th at 7pm. They’ll be joined by hosts Paul Reisler and Cheryl Toth.
Dr. Barnwell toured with the internationally acclaimed singing group Sweet Honey In The Rock for more than 30 years, performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to concert halls in Africa, Europe and New Guinea. The group is the pre-eminent African-American acapella ensemble. They combined contemporary rhythms, compositions and narratives with a musical style rooted in the Gospel music, spirituals and hymns of the African-American Church.
Barnwell is a vocalist with a range of over three octaves and appears on more than twenty-five recordings with Sweet Honey as well as other artists including Paul Reisler and Kid Pan Alley to name a few close to home. She has spent much of her time off stage working as an actress, composer and arranger, author, master teacher and choral leader in the African American cultural performance tradition.
Singer, composer, and song-collector Moira Smiley has sung in arenas, cathedrals, kitchens, back porches, sound stages, and on glaciers. She’s performed with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Tim O’Brien, Eric Whitacre, Los Angeles Master Chorale, New World Symphony, Solas, and The Lyris String Quartet. Moira’s original compositions, choral arrangements, and folk music are being sung by millions of voices around the world today.
Paul Reisler isn’t that much of a singer, but he has written over 3,000 songs and instrumental compositions. Fortunately, he’ll be joined by a wonderful singer for this concert as well as for life, Cheryl Toth.
The first time Paul ever sang on stage, he was performing with Ysaye and Kathy Mattea. After 30 years of performing, knowing that it would always be easier in the future when he wasn’t standing between those two masters, he figured it was time to open his mouth. Kathy started to cry, Ysaye laughed her head off. You can decide the most appropriate response on Sunday.
It will be an evening that reminds you that one little song can still change the world. And, unlike most of the livestream concerts you’ll see, the audience is part of the show. It’s got all the warmth and camaraderie of a house concert. The food and drinks are up to you. Sign up for the limited seating in the intimate zoom room to be part of the conversation at https://kidpanalley.eventbrite.com/.
