Origin:African-American Root Music Genre:Percussion-driven Vocal ensemble Artistic Director:Linda Tillery First Appearance in SF EDF: 2010 Website: http://www.culturalheritagechoir.com/
Cultural Heritage Choir is a percussion-driven
vocal ensemble that preserves and shares the rich musical traditions of African
American music through research and performance. Their music is rooted in the deep south and
strongly connected to their West African and Caribbean
origins. The group has performed
together since 1992 under Artistic Director
Linda Tillery and is world-renowned for their breathtaking performances and
commitment to the authenticity of African American roots music – music from
“involuntary immigrants” from Africa’s western
regions. The group’s first collaboration
with veteran performers Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb entitled “Shakin’ A
Tailfeather,” was nominated for a Grammy in 1997 and their second collaborative
effort “Hippity Hop,” was awarded a Parents Choice Award in 2000. CHC’s recording, “Say Yo’ Business” was
nominated for a California Music Award.
Linda Tillery has shared the stage with America’s best performers and
has appeared on more than 70 recordings.
She lectures on the history of African American sacred and secular music
throughout Canada, Europe, and the U.S. and has been resident artist at
Stanford University and Williams College.
Fua Dia Congo's exciting collaboration with Linda Tillery’s Cultural
Heritage Choir was inspired by their shared passion for and ties to African
tradition. The choir’s repertoire of African American spirituals honors a
traditional source of sacred fortification, empowerment, and protection. Today
they sing Congolese ritual music, and those same life-affirming themes
reverberate across time and space.
