Mar 8th 2012
Clemson, SC USA
Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 (with Mie, Carol Maillard and Louise Robinson) at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, Sweet Honey In The Rock, internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C., and in communities of conscience around the world.
From Psalm 81:16 comes the promise to a people of being fed by honey out of the rock. Honey – an ancient substance, sweet and nurturing. Rock – an elemental strength, enduring the winds of time. The metaphor of sweet honey in the rock captures completely these African American women whose repertoire is steeped in the sacred music of the Black church, the clarion calls of the civil rights movement, and songs of the struggle for justice everywhere.
Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey’s collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms.
In the best and in the hardest of times, Sweet Honey In The Rock has come in song to communities across the U.S., and around the world raising her voice in hope, love, justice, peace, and resistance. Sweet Honey invites her audiences to open their minds and hearts and think about who we are and how we treat each other, our fellow creatures who share this planet, and of course, the planet itself.
Sweet Honey’s 20th CD release, Experience…101 was a 2008 Grammy Award nominee. The excitement continued as Sweet Honey was asked to compose new material in celebration of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s 50th anniversary. Together, these two artistic treasures of the African American experience performed this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration throughout the United States. The music for the collaboration was released on a CD entitled GO IN GRACE.
In 2009 Sweet Honey was honored to accept an invitation from President and Mrs. Barack Obama to give a concert at the White House on Feb. 18, 2009. 2010 saw the release of a single CD and video, Are We A Nation?, in response to Arizona Law SB-1070, and the creation of a Tribute Concert – REMEMBERING NINA, ODETTA AND MIRIAM MAKEBA. Washington residents will be treated to a performance of the Tribute Concert on October 22, 2011 and in April 2012, the premiere of a new work – AFFIRMATIONS – in performance with the National Symphony.
Sweet Honey In The Rock members are Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade
Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Shirley
Childress Saxton (Sign Language Interpreter).
Mar 8th 2012
Clemson, SC USA
Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
Sweet Honey In The Rock
Apr 13th 2012
Washington, DC USA
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Affirmations for a New World by Bill Banfield Lyrics by Sweet Honey in the Rock Co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director, (and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, DC) and the Min
Apr 14th 2012
Washington, DC USA
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Affirmations for a New World by Bill Banfield Lyrics by Sweet Honey in the Rock Co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director, (and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, DC) and the Min
Apr 21st 2012
Minneapolis, MN USA
Orchestra Hall
Affirmations for a New World by Bill Banfield Lyrics by Sweet Honey in the Rock Co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director, (and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, DC) and the Min
Apr 22nd 2012
Hamilton, MT USA
Hamilton Performing Arts Center
Sweet Honey In The Rock
May 5th 2012
Alburquerque, NM USA
Popejoy Hall- University of New Mexico
Sweet Honey In The Rock
May 6th 2012
Berkeley, CA USA
Zellerbach Hall- University of California Berkeley
Sweet Honey In The Rock
For additional high resolution photos please contact your region’s tour coordinator
Technical Riders:
Artist Rider (2010): Download (pdf)
Publicity/Marketing:
Artist One Sheet (2011): Download (pdf)
Artist Biography/Program Notes (2011): Download (doc)
From AnnArbor.com Uplifting harmonies of Sweet Honey in the Rock returning to Hill Auditorium Friday By: Roger LeLievre Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Grammy Award-winning all-female African-American a cappella ensemble, has had a long relationship with Ann Arbor, one...
Posted Feb 13th, 2012
From WBUR Oldest Standing Black Church Reopens In Boston By: Delores Handy The African Meeting House, the oldest standing black church in America, reopens to the public Friday for the first time in six years. The three-story brick building is...
Posted Dec 12th, 2011
From The Washington Examiner Sweet Honey In The Rock Spreads Holiday Cheer By: Emily Cary Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Washington-based a cappella group, is renowned for an eclectic repertoire that reverberates with black American musical traditions from spirituals,...
Posted Dec 2nd, 2011
From The Examiner Sweet Honey In The Rock’s Nina, Odetta & Miriam tribute comes to The Blue Note By: Jim Bessman Having entered their third decade of performances at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 4, the historic African-American a cappella group...
Posted Nov 30th, 2011
From InsideNova Grammy winning a cappella group coming to Hylton Center By: Tamika Matthews Sweet Honey in the Rock doesn’t necessarily fit into a specific musical genre. Longtime group member Ysaye Barnwell thinks that’s just fine. “We really don’t want...
Posted Nov 28th, 2011
From Carnegie Hall Blog Sweet Honey In The Rock: Moving Forward While Looking Back By: Jeff Tamarkin When asked what their fans might expect when Sweet Honey In The Rock returns to Carnegie Hall on November 4, Aisha Kahlil, a...
Posted Oct 31st, 2011
From 77 Square Vocals Flow From Sweet Honey In The Rock By: Katie Foran-McHale It’s a sound that’s smoother than butter and sweeter than … well, honey. The Grammy-award winning a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock — the...
Posted Oct 6th, 2011
From Washington Examiner President Obama to give 9/11 address at National Cathedral despite quake damage By: Marsha Dubrow President Barack Obama will deliver formal remarks on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the National Cathedral, which has been...
Posted Sep 6th, 2011
IMN is pleased to welcome Sweet Honey In The Rock to the roster! Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Grammy Award winning Sweet Honey In The...
Posted Aug 31st, 2011
From Rolling Stone CSN, BONNIE RAITT, JACKSON BROWNE ROCK AGAINST NUKES By: Barry Walters Tom Morello, Jason Mraz join all-star benefit in wake of Japan disaster “I’m so happy to be here, my dimples are locked,” a beaming Bonnie Raitt...
Posted Aug 19th, 2011
From The Washington Informer Consecration Service Slated for King Memorial A service organized by the Rev. Willie E. Wilson of Union Temple Baptist Church in D.C. will sanctify and bless the grounds of the Martin Luther King Memorial. The service...
Posted Aug 7th, 2011
From NBC New York Talk Stoop: Sweet Honey In The Rock For more than 38 years, the gospel group “Sweet Honey in the Rock” has been thrilling audiences with their own beautiful brand of edu-tainment. They’re activists, teachers and performers,...
Posted Jun 15th, 2011
From The Root The Root Interview: Sweet Honey in the Rock’s Ysaye Barnwell By: Monée Fields-White The composer and longtime member of the famed a cappella group talks about collaborating with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, taking on controversial...
Posted Dec 7th, 2010
From The Washington Examiner Michelle Obama speaks to students about Black History Month Foot-stomping music filled the East Room of the White House on Wednesday as first lady Michelle Obama hosted nearly 200 schoolchildren for a Black History Month celebration...
Posted Feb 19th, 2009
From The Washington Times Sign A Song By: Jenny Mayo Unlike most members of music groups, Shirley Childress doesn’t play an instrument or sing. In fact, when she performs with her ensemble – hometown favorites Sweet Honey in the Rock...
Posted Aug 8th, 2008
Sweet Honey In The Rock Symphony
Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Grammy Award winning Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey’s collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms. The group recently debuted a tribute concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center – Remembering Nina, Odetta, and Miriam, and they have also developed a new collaborative symphonic orchestra piece, Affirmations, with noted composer William Banfield, set to premiere in 2012 with the National Symphony.
Sweet Honey In The Rock Holiday Program
Internationally renowned a capella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock presents a one-of-a-kind seasonal concert, celebrating music from many faiths and religions of the globe through stunning vocal prowess rooted in the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions. With American spirituals, Latin, Chinese, African, and Hebrew influences, this program honors the holiday spirit from Christmas to Kwanzaa.
| The Women Gather | 2:31 | Sweet Honey In The Rock |
| Are We A Nation | 3:58 | Sweet Honey In The Rock |
| I Like It That Way | 3:10 | Sweet Honey In The Rock |
This ensemble is the gold standard…their voices are all fabulous, and they unite to create a sound so pure, smooth and homogenous that it does not seem humanly possible.
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Even as the melodies, harmonies and rhythms soar, one is immediately struck by the message of the songs, for the message is what Sweet Honey is all about.
PBS
278 Main St. Gloucester, MA 01930 USA
Ph (978) 283-2883 Fax (978) 283-2330
