Country Music: Black Roots and Branches
Presented by Berklee’s American Roots Music Program, this concert will explore the ways in which country music is deeply rooted in Black music, highlighting the rich interweaving of Black and white influences that together form the vibrant tapestry of what we know as country music. Farayi Malek and Matt Glaser co-produced this show.
The concert will feature four sets performed by New Dangerfield, Farayi Malek, Dom Flemons, and Donna McElroy. It will also include performances by the new chair of the Ensemble Department, Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin, Laura Orshaw, and Larry Watson, along with numerous esteemed musical guests, including Brandi Waller-Pace, Kevin Barry, Consuelo Candelaria-Barry, Greg Liszt, Bruce Molsky, Vice President Ron Savage, and more. The concert will conclude with a finale of "Freedom Highway" by the Staples Singers, performed by all.
Malek and Glaser filmed a conversation between them that contextualizes the concert. Watch that video here.