American Soprano Nicole Taylor Brings African American Spirituals to Jordan

Strategic Insights -

American soprano Nicole Taylor, who is set to perform at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman as part of a series of performances and master classes sponsored by the US embassy, believes that African American spirituals speak to the human condition. Despite being a genre of music developed during the 18th and 19th centuries by African slaves in the US, the emotions and struggles they embody reflect universal human concerns and emotions. Taylor's concert, which will take place on February 2, will feature a mix of spirituals and solo pieces by pianist Daniel Ernst, who will also accompany Taylor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nicole Taylor's concert will feature a mix of African American spirituals and solo pieces by pianist Daniel Ernst, which will be performed at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman on February 2.
  • The concert is part of a series of performances and master classes sponsored by the US embassy in Amman in celebration of African American History Month.
  • African American spirituals speak to the human condition, with themes of suffering and hope that are universal and can be related to by people from all backgrounds.
  • Music played a major role in the US civil rights movement and represented a form of nonviolent resistance to oppression.
  • The theme of this year's African American History Month is "the quest for black citizenship in the Americas", with a focus on the problem of race and citizenship in American history.

The concert will include a selection of spirituals, including some that Taylor believes have much in common with Arabic folk music, such as an emphasis on rhythm and a call-and-response style of performance. Taylor, who has performed with several international companies, including the Pittsburgh Opera and Italy's Opera Teatro di Lucca, is a graduate of the master's programme at the Julliard School in New York City. She will also conduct an educational performance for school students in Amman and give a master class at the National Music Conservatory while in Jordan.

Statistics:

  • The US embassy is sponsoring a series of performances and master classes in Amman in celebration of African American History Month.
  • The theme of this year's African American History Month is "the quest for black citizenship in the Americas".
  • The event, established by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926 as Negro History Week, was expanded into a full month in 1976.
  • The concert will be performed at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman on February 2 at 7:30pm.

Sources:

  • "American Soprano to Perform African American Spirituals in Amman" by Jordan Times, January 27.
  • African American History Month website (www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov).
  • Jordan Times (http://www.jordantimes.com).
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.