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Tickets for Glenn Gould Series Finale, And Still We Sing … Steel Singin’ on sale now.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 8 PM
Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 8 PM
The beginning of summer is announced with the May long
weekend, and what
better way to usher in the hot season then with the colourful
flavour of steel pan! The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is presenting,
And Still We Sing…Steel
Singin’,
festive Caribbean fête. With selections from musical greats such as David Rudder, Larry
Farrow, Handel and Mary-Lou Williams and R. Nathaniel Dett, the
concert will take place at the Glenn Gould Studio at
8:00pm on Wednesday, May 26th
and is repeated at 8:00pm on Saturday, May 29th, 2010.
A special Victoria Day Weekend Promotion is being offered with
tickets individually priced at $30.00 and $25.00 Students/Seniors. Tickets are
available in person at the Roy Thomson Hall box office, 60
Simcoe St., by calling 416.872.4255 or online at
www.roythomson.com.
And Still We Sing… Steel Singin’ is a remarkable concert event which
marks the final installment of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale’s
2009/2010 Glenn Gould
Studio series. It is poised to be an exciting, eclectic
musical showcase of the almost limitless collaboration existing
between steel pan and voice -- a musical kaleidoscope that
showcases the remarkable versatility of this classic Afro-Caribbean instrument with repertoire ranging from classical
to calypso, to the rich folk traditions of the Caribbean
peoples.
And Still We Sing… Steel Singin’
is a concert that I have wanted to program for some time now,”
explains Artistic Director/Founder, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor.
"Given
it’s exquisite tonal range, pan music is a perfect complement to
the multi-dimensional voices of the Chorale which allows us to
draw from the opposite ends of the musical spectrum to create a
electrifying performance”.
And Still We Sing… Steel Singin’ welcomes to the Glenn Gould Studio stage an exciting new chamber
steel ensemble, Legacy Pan Groove. With over 70 years of
combined musical experience honed through countless performances
Canada, USA, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, Legacy’s five core
members first formed the group in 2007. Jasmine Ball, the
ensembles
female drummer joins expert pannists Gareth Burgess, Taurean
Clarke, Talib Robinson and Jimi Rockley to create an explosive
performance that explores the depths of collaboration between
steel pan and voice musical combination that is equally jubilant, uplifting
and socially empowering.
Together, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale and Legacy Pan
Groove will honour Trinidadian Calypso rhythms with showcase
performances of Lord Kitchener’s “Carnival is Over”; David Rudder’s classic “The
Hammer” as well as an emotional performance of Rudder’s “Haiti
I'm Sorry”. Festive interpretations of
West Indian
folk music favourites include “She Take Me Money
(Matilda)” arranged by Larry Farrow, as well as Farrow’s setting
of “Turn the World Around” by the legendary Harry Belafonte. R.
Nathaniel Dett is remembered with a performance of “Jacob's
Ladder” which will feature the NDC Training Choir; and the great
Mary Lou Williams’ “St. Martin de Porres” takes on a new form in
the expert hands of the Chorale and special guests Legacy Pan
Groove. The Chorale’s own Darryl Huggins Lord
S’plaina will debut some of his own calypso compositions for this
memorable concert event. Other highlights include classical selections from Handel, Bach,
Paganini and James Furman’s “Hehlehlooyuh”.
On this special evening, the Chorale will officially launch its
2010/2011 Glenn Gould Studio concert series. The Chorale’s 12th
annual concert season will feature musical treats that continue
to celebrate the spirit, energy and vitality of the African Diaspora.
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is also pleased to announce the
launch of their revitalized website. The new, user friendly
architecture, stronger design and added features are housed in a
refreshed navigation structure that ensures that every visitor
to the site can find exactly what they are looking for in as few
clicks as possible. For more information please visit
www.nathanieldettchorale.org.
About THE NATHANIEL DETT CHORALE
One of Canada’s “national treasures”, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale has worked hard to bring
Afrocentric music to people at home and abroad. This dedication
has recently earned them industry recognition as the CAPACOA
Touring Artist of the Year 2008-09.
This award recognizes performers whose
professionalism and cooperative spirit enhance their
relationship with presenters, such as cooperation in performance
promotion, technical facilitation, contract fulfillment, or
service above and beyond contractual agreements.
Named for the celebrated African-Canadian composer, R. Nathaniel
Dett, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada's first professional
choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles,
including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues.
The Chorale is comprised of classically trained, multi-talented
musicians whose work stretches beyond the traditional repertoire
of a classical chamber choir, challenging audiences to broaden
their vision to include all genres of music appropriate to the
traditions of the African Diaspora. These 21
classically-trained, outstanding vocalists have shared the stage
with internationally recognized artists such as Juno
Award-winning jazz pianist Joe Sealy, opera star Kathleen
Battle, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Chorale recently
had the honour of performing at various ceremonies in Washington
on the occasion of President Obama's historic inauguration.
For more information please visit
www.nathanieldettchorale.org.
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Founder, Artistic Director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor
