February 6 & 7, 2019
10:30am & 12:30pm
rique began playing the violin as a child and later studied classical with Charles meacham of the san Francisco symphony Orchestra. Having performed fiddle tunes for over 40 years, he’s played with charanga bands, jazz ensembles, and reggae bands, yet his heart always brought him back to the string Band tradition. He founded the Ebony Hillbillies, known first as the Henrique prince duo/ trio. the legacy of african-american string Band music keeps them on the road retelling this slice of american history worldwide.
n orris washing Ton b enne TT Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar, And Vocals
Norris is a world-class musician with a style all his own. He’s travelled the world, sharing the stage with some of america’s finest legendary folk artists of the day and recorded two solo compilations for Germany's Bear Family records, Challenge and Norris' people. He now provides the driving claw hammer rhythm and melodic counterpoint to the fiddle and upright bass that gives this ensemble their unique sound.
g loria Thomas g assaway Bones (Percussion)
& Vocals
Gloria’s command of the stage is unmatchable and unforgettable as she moves crowds with a raucous, uncut brand of ole timey dance music rich in love and spirit! she grew up in a musically gifted family and was eventually seduced by the melting pot of sounds emerging and evolving on the streets of NYC a la jazz, blues, doo wop, soul, Latin rhythms, and rock and roll. throughout the years she honed her talent and is now singing, dancing, and cutting up with her childhood comrades Henrique prince and Newman taylor Baker.
Bass
three-time Grammy award winner and Harlem native salty Bill is known as one of New York City's top bassists, as well as a talented songwriter, composer, producer, singer, and music publisher. His career has taken him from New York City's prestigious High school of the performing arts, where he studied music; to his first professional job, where he worked as a bassist alongside major folk singer pete seeger; to a career that’s encompassed virtually every arena of music.
Àllanah s alT er Shaker (Percussion) & Vocals
Àllanah, who wrote and recorded with her group the Creations, is also a seasoned actress and a long-time esteemed member of Harlem’s famous riverside Church. Her songs include The Bells Are Ringing and the b-side Shang, Shang — the latter created on the spot in the studio under the direction of the legendary producer phil spector. she also starred in classic off-Broadway shows, including James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie, rochelle Owens' X Has No Value, and Leroi Jones' Slaveship
n ewman Taylor b aker Washboard Percussion
Newman’s passion for the drum and washboard has taken him all around the world to share his knowledge, experience, and innovation through both his Washboard Xt project with the Ebony Hillbillies and his solo drumset project, singin' drums. Newman was awarded a New York Foundation for the arts Fellowship and grants from meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the arts. He is truly a drummer's drummer - and a washboard innovator.
a li “a . r .” r ahman/ r eggie Ferguson (Cowboy) Percussion
through the ‘50s reggie played Latin music with some of the finest architects of Latin music; in the ‘60s, became the fulltime house drummer for the NYC's apollo theater, working with the who’s who of music; in the ‘80s reggie Ferguson was retired, later to be reinvented as a r. He’s now an Ebony Hillbillies washboard player and percussionist, whose sense of timing and swing is unparalleled.
