Sweet Honey Squeezes Soul from the Rock
“But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Psalm 81:16
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival for 2013 takes the music in new directions with the addition of SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®, the gospel-influenced a cappella group of women with an international reputation. They will be performing at the Festival Finale on Sunday, June 9 at Rodney Strong Vineyards.
Since its founding in 1973 — 40 years ago — this renowned vocal ensemble has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of communities of conscience around the world. They join other headliners at the 15th annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival this year, including Charlie Haden with Carla Bley, Ravi Coltrane among others; Charles Lloyd-Jason Moran in concert; the Fred Hersch Trio and many others.
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 captures the complex sounds of jazz improvisation, blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, and even ancient lullabies.
Original founding member Bernice Johnson Reagon retired in 2004. Current members of the group include Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Louise Robinson (an original ensemble member), Carol Lynn Maillard (an original ensemble member) and Shirley Childress Saxton (sign language interpreter).
During their career, the singing group has released over 20 CDs, toured the world several times over and performed at the White House, in February 2009 at the invitation of President and Mrs. Barack Obama.
As their website says, “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.”
Tickets for all Healdsburg Jazz Festival events, including SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK at Rodney Strong, June 9, will be available soon.