And I Saw A New Heaven: A Celebration of African American Music

In honor of Black History Month, Cranbrook Project’s new concert series, Friday Night Live, in collaboration with Christ Church Cranbrook, presents And I Saw A New Heaven: A Celebration of African American Music. This concert highlights the music of African Americans and their influences on our global cultural heritage.

The ARTISTS

Ryan Bowie | Arielle Crosby | Isis Damil | Angela Davis | Dorian Dillard, II

Rebecca Eaddy | Jiana Hunter | Arnesia Jones | Jazmine Jones

Bryson Nickelberry | Chidera Perry | Joe Pore | Candace Potts

Gwendolyn Spencer | Kevin Stewart, Jr.

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Darell “Red” Campbell, bass

Brandon “Showtime” Bland, keyboards

Marquis Johnson, drums

The MUSIC

Sacred Music: Sacred music, including Negro spirituals and gospel music, illustrates its central role in African Americans’ spiritual life. The earliest form of black musical expression in America, spirituals, was based on Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted sacred values while defining the hardships of slavery. Gospel music originated in the black church and has become a globally recognized genre of popular music. In its earliest manifestations, it functioned as an integral religious and ceremonial practice during worship services. Gospel music is marketed commercially and draws on contemporary, secular sounds while conveying spiritual and religious ideas.

Jazz: Jazz evolved from ragtime, an American style of syncopated instrumental music. Jazz first materialized in New Orleans and is often distinguished by African American musical innovation. Multiple forms of the genre exist today, from the dance-oriented music of the 1920s big-band era to the experimental flair of modern avant-garde jazz.

Rhythm and Blues: The predecessor to soul music, R&B is another stylistically diverse genre with roots in jazz, the blues, and gospel music. R&B helped spread African American culture and popularized the idea of racial integration on the airwaves and in white society. Today’s iteration of the genre has assimilated elements of soul and funk.

Hip-Hop and Rap: Hip-hop and rap are musical traditions firmly embedded in African American culture. Like jazz, hip-hop has become a global phenomenon. It has exerted a driving force on the development of mass media. Hip-hop music spawned an entire cultural form, while rap remains a means for artists to voice opinions and share experiences regarding social and political issues.

This list of musical styles merely scratches the surface. In addition to the abovementioned genres, African American artists have developed and influenced classical music, country and Western music, pop music, and dance music such as disco, techno, and house, among others. Millions of people around the globe listen to music that draws on African American musical traditions.

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Host or Publisher Cranbrook Project