10 minute read
Interview with Harlem 100
With over 60 years of recording and touring to his credit, McClinton is a true musical zelig: he toured with The Beatles, backed Bo Diddley and Howlin’ Wolf, helped to inspire The Blues Brothers, and has performed everywhere from “SNL” to “Austin City Limits” along the way. His songs have been covered by Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, and Wynonna Judd - to name a few. Expect guests to stand and dance along at the performance. If you would like to sit, please consider the balcony or orchestra boxes.
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Similar Artists This Season: Paul Thorn, John Hiatt & The Jerry Douglas Band, Keb’ Mo’
Bandleader and ringleader Michael Mwenso, was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. At age 10, he and his mother moved to London when she married an Englishman. A year and a half later, she found herself a single mother, struggling to deal with the tragic death of her husband. Michael says his connection with music really started, “. . .out of loneliness, being an only child, and also B losing my mother, because she couldn’t look after me the way she wanted.” For years he stayed with “this incredible man,” who had been his mother’s landlord when she lived in London before. He was a lover of African American music. Michael remembers, “I would absorb myself in his record collection from Bessie Smith to Ray Charles to Etta
James to Louis Armstrong.”
Having gotten to know some of the staff at legendary London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s during the 1970s, Michael’s mother allowed Michael to start, “. . . going to the club as a young child.” He saw the whole range of black music, including “the Mount Rushmore of jazz musicians Ray Charles, James Brown, Betty Carter, all these kind of people.” He looked older than he was and carrying his trombone, he’d sneak into sound checks for artists by saying he was “with the band.”
The Shakes is one of the groups that came out of a community of young musicians created by Michael after coming to New York City to work with Jazz at Lincoln Center. The group even includes a tap dancer. Michela Marino is an “added rhythmic percussive instrument.” ‘Shake’, according to Michael, is a word used within the community “to define anything and everything. . . . like: The Shakes; what’s the shake (what happened)? It’s our own little language.” They have been together about seven years and all but one or two are “kind of immigrants.” The African diasper experience fermented into Jazz music at it height of popularity in Harlem 100 years ago. That sound then went back into the world and has influenced generations of musicians across the globe.
The Harlem 100: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance
Waller, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and so many more.
The Del mccoury band Sat. Jan 23, 2021 //8:00 p.m. // Tickets: $100
One of the most distinguished traditional Bluegrass musicians of all time, two-time Grammy® award-winning artist Del McCoury epitomizes the genre. Hear hits such as “1952 Black Lightning,” “My Love Will Not Change,” “Nashville Cats,” “Smoking Gun,” “Sweet Appalachia,” and much more live! Similar Artists This
Season: Rhonda Vincent, Balsam Range, Steel Betty
When jokingly referred to as the “bandleader and ringleader,” he laughingly replies, “Oh yes! No, definitely! I am very blessed that I am able to lead.” He speaks of the band members’ humility in allowing him to lead because they’re all incredible bandleaders/artists on their own.
According to Michael, Harlem 100 is part of a presentation created to present the music of the Harlem Renaissance. “What it is and what is was; and how it influenced the world. It gives us the ability to . . . genuflect to our ancestors,” he explains. Michael goes on to speak of how much more important it is now, with the “racial division and strife “in the world to bring awareness to the entirety and greatness of the African-American, and what these people did, so we can use black music to help people heal.”
People attending the performance can expect to experience a musical celebration that will, among other things, provide an understanding of the history, the culture, and excellence of Black people especially during the magical creative explosion called the Harlem Renaissance. A montage of pictures related to the Harlem Renaissance will be shown in the background during the performances. One hopes audience members will be ignited to read the writers, see the art, and hear more of the music of the artists presented.
For Michael the current climate has proved very interesting. The group has done online concerts, “and such.” “People are reaching out saying, now is the time that we need the group…[they] can really see what we are doing.”
Interview with Michael Mwenso
By: Norma Donaldson -Jenkins
A Dufford Institute for Cultural Diversity Event in conjunction
Join us for the ultimate celebration of the music of the Let Harlem 100 take you back in time with music from the Harlem Renaissance. All-star musicians, including Mwenso icons who defined the era, all played by a classic 9-piece band! and the Shakes, Briana Thomas, Michela Marino Lerman, Similar Artists This Season: American Spiritual and Vuyo Sotashe, join together to play the music of Fatz Ensemble, Peacherine Ragtime, Glenn Miller Orchestra
with Newberry Arts For All (NAFA)
// 2020-2021 Season // 11
American spiritual ensemble Sun. Jan 24, 2021 // 3:00 p.m. // Tickets: $100 // Students 1/2 price
The American Spiritual Ensemble is a critically-acclaimed professional Gospel and Classical group comprised of some of the finest singers in the music world. The Ensemble, made up of classically trained artists, pays homage to the Negro Spirituals of American slaves, which helped our country find its voice in the most difficult part of U.S. history. These spirituals would later give birth to Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Pop, and even influence Musical Theatre. The vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic renditions of everything from Classic Spirituals to Broadway numbers. Similar Artists This Season:
Harlem 100, La Boheme, Modern Gentlemen Deas Guyz Orchestra Fri. Jan 29, 2021 //8:00 p.m. Tickets: $65
Featuring Newberry native, vocalist Reggie Deas, the Deas Guyz Orchestra debuted in 2019 to sold out performances. Twelve multi-talented musicians bring many years of experience to the stage with an entertaining blend of Jazz, Motown and R&B. Delight in an incredible selection of favorites from Jazz hits by Nat King Cole to Motown sounds made famous by the likes of Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, to the soulful sounds of Barry White and Sam Cooke. Artists This Season:
Peabo Bryson, Brian Culbertson, Glenn Miller Orchestra Balsam Range Sat. Jan 30, 2021 // 8:00 p.m. // Tickets: $75
From Western NC, Balsam Range thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of their home county of Haywood, NC. One of the most awarded Bluegrass groups in recent memory, Balsam Range keeps audiences coming back for more. Similar Artists This
Season: Del McCoury Band, Dailey & Vincent, Steel Betty Steve Tyrell Mon. Feb 1, 2021 //8:00 p.m. //Tickets: $100
Grammy® Award winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell is the definition of a renaissance man. In his nearly five decades in the music business, he has achieved success as a singer, songwriter, producer, music supervisor, and most recently, radio host. His breakthrough performances in “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride II” helped Tyrell reinvent and re-popularize classic pop standards for a modernday audience. His hits, “The Way You Look Tonight,” “The Simple Life,” “Crush On You,” and “The Sunny Side of The Street.”
Similar Artists This Season: Modern Gentlemen, Peabo
Bryson, Deas Guyz
Buddy: The Buddy Holly story
This show tells Holly’s story by performing over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, including “That’ll Be The Day,” Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” Raining in My Heart,” “Not Fade Away,” and many more. This tribute show honors the famous legend whose music career was cut far too short. Similar Artists This Season:
Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King, McCartney Years, The Tams
“Too Funk for Rock, Too Rock for Funk.” Mother’s Finest has always been a band impossible to force into a box. From the rollicking mashup “Mickey’s Monkey” and the soulful “Thank You For The Love” on their iconic album “Another Mother Further” to the bone-jarring “Baby Love,” the band has never been one to rest on its laurels. Expect guests to stand and dance along at the performance. If you would like to sit, please consider the balcony or orchestra boxes. Similar Artists
This Season: Led Zeppelin Experience, Electric Light Orchestra Tribute, The Machine
The fan-favorite comedy and dog acrobatics show Mutts Gone Nuts comes to the Newberry Opera House. Watch these talented mutts show off their skills in all sorts of acrobatics and tricks. “The Washington Post Weekender” calls it “a must-see” and Lee Greenwood called them the “Funniest act I’ve ever worked with.” See what audiences have been raving about with Mutts Gone Nuts! Similar Family Friendly Artists This
Season: Mike Super, Fairytales on Ice, A Very Electric Christmas
Edwin McCain & Full band
Sat. Feb 6, 2021 //8:00 p.m. //Tickets: $100
Called the “great American romantic” by the “New York Times,” Edwin McCain has built an enviable career over the past 20 years by balancing his massive Pop success with a year-round touring schedule of a tireless troubadour. With hits like “I’ll Be,” “I Couldn’t Ask For More,” and “Shooting Stars,” Edwin McCain is a must-see musician! Similar Artists This Season: Paul Thorn, John Hiatt
& The Jerry Douglas Band, Sister Hazel
Launching into international fame as the steerage band in the movie “Titanic,” Gaelic Storm attributes over two decades of success to their fanatic “Storm Chaser” fans. The Country-music folks adore the storytelling, the Bluegrass-heads love the instrumentals, Celtic fans love their devotion to tradition, and the Rockers simply relish the passion with which they play their instruments. Expect guests to stand and dance along at the performance. If you would like to sit, please consider the balcony or orchestra boxes.
Similar Artist This Season: Christmas with The Celts
Remember the Band from Titanic?
The tune “An Irish Party in Third Class” includes pieces of “John Ryan’s Polka” and “Blarney Pilgrim”. Filmmakers discovered them playing at a bar in Santa Monica, CA.
Tribute to Whitney, Diana, Aretha, and More! A Tribute to Legendary Lady Singers
Fri. Feb 12, 2021 // 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $65
Legendary Lady Singers is the world-class tribute to the music of some of the most legendary lady singers of all time, including Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and so many more! Gifted singer and songwriter Sherma Andrews performs perfect, detail-oriented renditions of your legendary ladies favorites like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Bad Girls,” “Sweet Love,” “Natural Woman,” and so many more! Similar Artists This Season: Tapestry:
