March 28, 2024

Newman, UCC Announces Blues for Langston Hughes Concert

Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 3:00PM

Posted

Newman Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is pleased to present a concert titled Blues for Langston Hughes ~ A Blues Suite inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes. The concert will feature excerpts from a variety of poems by Langston Hughes followed by blues inspired group improvisations.

This concert was conceived of by Chris Turner, music director. Chris has drawn his inspiration from the poetic language of Langston Hughes. Hughes was one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry; Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. His poetry and fiction portrayed the lives of the working-class blacks in America, lives he portrayed as full of struggle, joy, laughter, and music. Permeating his work is pride in the African-American identity and its diverse culture. "My seeking has been to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America and obliquely that of all human kind", Hughes is quoted as saying. He confronted racial stereotypes, protested social conditions, and expanded African America's image of itself; a "people's poet" who sought to reeducate both audience and artist by lifting the theory of the black aesthetic into reality.

For this concert, Chris Turner is music director, reader, and plays harmonicas. Becky Bass, soprano section leader at Newman UCC, is vocalist, reader, and plays steel pan. Featured instrumentalists include Rachel Maloney on fiddle and bass harmonica, Jim Corwin on guitar and dobro, Jack Moore on washtub bass, Matt McLaren on percussion and Geoff Greene on accordion.

The Blues for Lanston Hughes concert will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM. The public is cordially invited and there is a suggested donation of $10. A reception will follow the concert with an opportunity to meet the musicians. Newman Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located at 100 Newman Avenue, Rumbord, RI 02916. For more info, to become a sponsor, or to reserve tickets, please call the church office at (401) 434-4742 x10.

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