Beginning as an inspirational musical journey through our state, the music and experiences that have been born from this two-year collaboration between composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), North Carolina singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett, and arts presenters across North Carolina has been nothing short of groundbreaking. Last January, the artists travelled from the mountains to the coast, seeking stories to inspire a new collection of musical works that reflect the people and places of North Carolina. DBR is renowned for seamlessly blending funk, rock, hip-hop and classical music. Laurelyn Dossett brings the sound of southern folk music to this project.
This fall DBR and Laurelyn return to each of the host communities to share the music inspired by our state’s unique character and cultural traditions. Musical events in Boone (November 1) and West Jefferson (November 2) will be preceded by a week of residency work in Watauga and Ashe County, in partnership with the Ashe County Arts Council.
Public Residency Events
Community Acoustic Jam Session
October 29, 6:30pm-8pm
FREE
This jam session will build on the interactions established between DBR and Laurelyn Dossett on their visit in January, in which they met musicians keeping alive the rich musical traditions and heritage of Appalachia. Student and adult musicians from Ashe/Watauga Counties will participate.
About Daniel Bernard Roumain
Having carved a reputation for himself as an innovative composer, performer, violinist, and bandleader, Haitian-American artist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) melds his classical music roots with his own cultural references and vibrant musical imagination. Proving that he's "about as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets" (New York Times), DBR has collaborated and performed with Philip Glass, Cassandra Wilson, Bill T. Jones, and Lady Gaga. He's received commissions from Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Library of Congress and the sports channel ESPN. He's appeared on American Idol, America's Assignment (CBS Evening News), E:60 (ESPN) and been voted one of the "Top 100 New Yorkers" (New York Resident), "Top 40 Under 40 business people" (Crain's New York Business), "Top 5 Tomorrow's Newsmakers" (1010 WINS Radio) and spotlighted as a "New Face of Classical Music" (Esquire Magazine). Most recently DBR has created a new evening length-work, Symphony for the Dance Floor, for the 2011 BAM Next Wave Festival and ASU Gammage, and composed music for the Atlanta Ballet, Home in 7, with the choreographer Amy Seiwert and the poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph. More at http://www.dbrmusic.com.
About Laurelyn Dossett
Singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett lives and writes in the piedmont of North Carolina, and her songs tend to reflect the stories of the region, both traditional and contemporary. Laurelyn's songs have been covered by many bands, including Grammy-winning artists Levon Helm and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. One of the most sought-after voices in creative collaborations, she co-founded Polecat Creek with singing partner Kari Sickenberger in 1997. She has partnered with playwright Preston Lane, writing the music for four plays that premiered at Triad Stage and continue to be performed around the country. Laurelyn is a frequent performer at regional music festivals such as Merlefest and has been a guest on the popular National Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion. She has toured with folk legend Alice Gerrard and songwriter Diana Jones and has toured with the North Carolina Symphony in 2009 and 2011. Commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony, Dossett and the symphony premiered her new song cycle, The Gathering: A Winter's Tale in Six Songs, in November 2011. The accompanying cd, The Gathering, was released to critical acclaim, including top holiday picks from the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and USA Today. More at http://www.laurelyndossett.com.
The compositions created for Connecting Crossroads in North Carolina are commissioned by NCSU Center Stage, Davidson College Friends of the Arts and Smith Artist Series, UNCW Presents, East Carolina University's S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series, and The Performing Arts Series at Appalachian State University. Additional support is provided by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts; and by South Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the NC Arts Council.
Contact name:
Farthing Auditorium box office
Contact telephone:
(800) 841-2787
