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Archie Shepp: Art Songs and Spirituals

With Amina Claudine Myers and Carleen Anderson

,Barbican Hall
An illustration of Archie Shepp playing saxophone at the Barbican

Free jazz pioneer and civil rights activist Archie Shepp presents a new project with contributions from Amina Claudine Myers and Carleen Anderson.

Shepp revisits his ‘60s output where he explored both his connections to Africa and the civil rights movement that swept America. This is music of great urgency and fearless experimentation, as breath-taking as it is mind-expanding. Joining him for this journey is regular collaborator Amina Claudine Myers; and soul singer Carleen Anderson leading a vocal ensemble featuring Cleveland Watkiss, Beverley Skeet and Sylvia Mason-James, and a band featuring percussionist Hamid Drake.

Shepp’s work stands out as some of the most articulate and original to emerge from the ‘60s jazz maelstrom, and his saxophone still sounds as soulful and heartfelt as ever.

Opening, Simon Purcell reunites with vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, rekindling the energy of the London jazz scene of the 80s with Chris Batchelor, Julian Seigel, Steve Watts and Gene Calderazzo.

Tagged with: Contemporary music EFG London Jazz Festival Jazz

The performance will begin promptly at the advertised start time of 7.30pm

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes including interval

Timings are approximate and subject to change

Part of EFG London Jazz Festival 2018

Produced by the Barbican in association with EFG London Jazz Festival

Vocal ensemble

Daniel Thomas
Gail Evans
Gina Foster
Sylvia Mason-James
Janet Ramus
Beverley Skeete
Cleveland Watkiss

Programme

Discover

photo of carleen anderson singing

Watch: Barbican Session - Carleen Anderson

In this Barbican Session, Soul singer Carleen Anderson performs Before Me from her album 'Cage Street Memorial' in our conductor's dressing room.

a great photo of kamasi washington playing jazz

Listen: Jazz on Spotify

Follow our regularly updated Jazz playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme. 

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