Center for Advanced Study
MillerComm2018
CONVERGENCE: Spirituals from the Shtetl. Davening from the Delta
Anthony Russell
Vocalist, composer and arranger
CONVERGENCE is a new repertoire of works exploring exile, spirituality, hope and redemption. Combining diverse strains of traditional Ashkenazi Jewish and African American music, CONVERGENCE stands directly at spiritual, historical and textual crossroads. The musical sources are diverse: Chassidic piyyutim, negro spirituals, Yiddish labor union songs, Civil Rights anthems, Israeli folksong and traditional Ashkenazi synagogue music. The musical idioms are diverse as well, bearing elements of contemporary classical, jazz, blues, gospel, klezmer, chazzanut and experimental music.
Mr. Russell is accompanied by pianist Rachel Jensen.
Hosted by:
Program in Jewish Culture and Society
In conjunction with:
Department of African American Studies
Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
Department of History
Department of Religion
Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities
Robert E. Brown Center for World Music
Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center
School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
School of Music
Spurlock Museum
Series support provided by:
Office of the Chancellor
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access
Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Center for Advanced Study
George A. Miller Endowment
Ledyard R. Tucker Fund
Peggy Harris Memorial Fund
The Council of Deans
The David Gottlieb Memorial Foundation
The Graduate College
For more information, please consult http://cas.illinois.edu or call 217-333-6729