A capella group sweetens up Logan
A breath of southern air is coming to Logan Sept. 7-8. Sweet Honey in the Rock will perform at the Ellen Eccles Theater, showing off their internationally acclaimed and award-winning songs. The sextet, based in Washington D.C., was invited by the Cache Valley Center for the Arts (CVCA). Amanda Castillo, Marketing Director for the CVCA, said the groupís trip to Logan was a long-time goal.
ìWeíve been watching them for about 10 years, but could never afford it.,î Castillo said. ìWeíre thrilled to have them come to our theater. Itís wonderful to have people open their minds to this kind of show.î
Castillo went on to say one of the main reasons for inviting the group to Logan is their innovative and unique style.
ìWe try to bring in the best of the best,î she said. ìTheyíve been all over the world, and to have a group like this come to Logan is great.î
Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973, the group released their first album, Bílieve Iíll Run OnÖ, in 1978. Since then, the group has performed all over the world, including Japan, Russia, Australia, South America, Africa and Europe. Aside from international travels, the group has made appearances across the country, even being invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to perform at the White House for the celebration of African-American History month. Sweet Honey also made an appearance on the red carpet at the 2008 Grammy awards, where their latest release, Experience…101, was nominated.
According to www.sweethoney.com, the group took their name from Psalm 81:16, where there is a ìpromise to a people of being fed by honey out of the rock. Honey ñ an ancient substance, sweet and nurturing. Rock ñ an elemental strength, enduring the winds of time.î With the original membersí experience during the civil rights movement, they felt a personal connection to the metephor. Reagon writes on the groupís website how the experiences of the members contribute to the voice of their music.
ìWe have worked very hard in many ways during this past year to create the way ahead for Sweet Honey, to create her voice as our communal voice for justice and truth in the world,î she writes.
Wally Bloss, executive director for the CVCA, said Sweet Honey has ìplayed an important role as artists and activists. This a capella sextet delivers a cohesive performance that fuses personality, power, and passion.î
With over three decades of history and members who have seen the evolution of the country, Sweet Honey brings a sound usually unseen in Logan, Castillo said.
ìThey do everything from rap and hip hop to reggae and jazz and gospel blues,î she said.
ìNot always will it sell out or be someoneís favorite, but we want it to appeal to everyone. Weíre always trying to build our mix.î
The members of Sweet Honey have been involved with music most of their lives, including many Broadway and off-Broadway performances. Ysaye Barnwell, a Sweet Honey singer since 1979, has also invested time in her education, receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and teaching in the College of Dentistry for over a decade. Barnwell also studied the violin for 15 years and has written two childrenís books.
Sweet Honey member Shirley Childress Saxton, a professional sign language interpreter, has spent much of her life interpreting for people of all ages and stations, even having the opportunity to sign at a reading by Maya Angelou. Aside from her musical and interpretive careers, Saxton also founded the organization BRIDGES, which focuses on the African-American deaf community and interpreters.
Nitanju Bolade Casel, who joined the group in 1985, is also co-founder ofArtistes Des Echanges Africaines, also heads her own publishing company, Clear Ice Music. Casel was a finalist in both the 2006 and 2007 International Songwriterís Competition and was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for producing Sweet Honeyís Experience…101.
Apart from working with her sister, Casel, as co-director of First World Productions, Aisha Kahil has performed in several productions, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestraís rendition of ìPorgy and Bess.î Kahil was also voted best soloist by the Contemporary A Capella Society and was a winner in the International Songwriting Competition in 2005.
Louise Robinson, a founding member of Sweet Honey, worked with Carol Maillard and Smokey Ronald Stevens in producing the performance series, ìA Sho Nuff Variety Revue,î featuring New York artists. Robinson also helped form another singing ensemble, the Bay-area quintet, Street Sounds, which has been performing for 14 years.
Maillard, born and raised in Philidelphia, has performed in on- and off-Broadway productions and has made appearances on Law and Order, as well as the PBS movie ìHallelujah.î She majored in theater at the Catholic University of America after switching from violin performance.
Maillard explained that the core sound of the group comes from African-American songs and culture. Since all the members have distinct voices, styles and musical tastes, Maillard said the group evolves with every new member.
ìWe like to sing music that has a message in whatever form we find it,î she said. ìWe like for our music to touch, educate and inspire. I think we do a pretty good job of doing that.î
Maillard went on to say how much the African-American culture has played into the lives of the members of Sweet Honey.
ìBecause of them, we are here and thriving and looking ahead to a bright future for our children,î Maillard said. ìWe have to hold that vision in our hearts and souls because when we look at how far weíve come, we know itís important to hold on to everything weíve been given.î
Maillard said Sweet Honey looks forward to more travel and more performing.
ìWeíre not a Top 40 group,î she said, ìso we donít take any opportunities we have to travel and ëedu-tainí for granted.î
For more information about tickets and show times, call 435-752-0026 or visit www.CacheValleyCenterForTheArts.org.
k.vandyke@aggiemail.usu.edu