Listen to previews from In Silent Night
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Invocation – Kwanza Msingwana
Tambokenu Mwane – Akufuna Sifuba
Oh Jesu Mama Upepilwe – Akufuna Sifuba
Nama Emonate – Akufuna Sifuba
A Child of God – Salli Terri
He Stooped to Bless – Edward Margetson
Mary Had a Baby – Roland Carter
Jazz Selections – Joe Sealy & Paul Novotny
Shout For Joy: A Suite of Christmas Carols – Robert DeCormier
Rise Up, Shepherd
What Month Was My Jesus Born In?
The Virgin Mary Had-A One Son
Shout For Joy
Go Tell It On The Mountain
INTERMISSION
Coventry Carol – Darmon Meader
A Carol for All Children – Adolphus Hailstork
In Silent Night – Mitchell B. Southall
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – Ron Collier
Jazz Selections – Joe Sealy & Paul Novotny
Children, Go Where I Send Thee – Robert L. Morris
Hail Mary – William L. Dawson
Negro Bell Carol – Willis Lawrence James
Rockin’ Jerusalem – Robert L. Morris
WELCOME/PROGRAM NOTE
The word indigo calls to mind many things colour, spirituality, mood, reverence, blues, soul, synthesis, unity, invocation, ritual to name a few. Designated as one of the seven prismatic or primary colours, indigo has a unique harmonic vibration and energy that seems fitting to surround a concert of Christmas and seasonal music with a distinct Afrocentric vibe.
This concert celebrates mothers around the world who daily give birth to our hopes for the future. Even as they cradle and nurture these promising children, we are reminded of a mother who gave birth to a child of promise over two thousand years ago. This child became the symbol of freedom, peace and love, as should all children. Adolphus Hailstork, in his Carol for all Children, invites children everywhere to Spread the light of life; warm each heart with caring; end the night of strife and teach us peace and sharing. With such a compelling mandate, we can all cradle and nurture the world and give birth to a new way of being. To this end we have prepared a selection of joyous, uplifting, infectious and occasionally introspective sounds. These are offered in our accustomed blend of folk, classical, jazz and gospel idioms to help you join us for an intimate yet festive celebration In Silent Night.
The concert begins traditionally with a Drumming Invocation led by Kwanza Msingwana along with Akufuna Sifuba. The invocation is an invitation to the Great Spirit and the spirits of our ancestors to be with us in this celebration. We also welcome Joe Sealy and his collaborator of many years, bassist Paul Novotny as they add their distinctive jazz stylings to the evening’s festivities.
I trust that even as you enjoy the thrilling voices, harmonies and rhythms that you will be infused with the spirit of Christmas in celebration of the Good, the good of life and of existence itself, the good of family, community and culture, the good of the awesome and the ordinary, in a word the good of the divine, both natural and social.
Peace, Love and Light.
Brainerd Blyden-Taylor
