MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh helped Carnegie Hall launch their Honor! A Celebration of the African American Culture Legacy in New York City this past Wednesday (March 4th).
The festival, curated by renowned soprano Jessye Norman, will run 20 events throughout multiple venues in New York City until March 23rd saluting the vitality, influence and creativity of African American culture.
On Wednesday (March 4th), the “Honor: Blues, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Beyond” program paid tribute to great artists of the past.
Artists in attendance included Doug E. Fresh and MC Lyte (Hip-Hop); Geri Allen, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, James Carter (jazz); Freddie Jackson, Anthony Hamilton, Leela James, Kem, Ryan Shaw (R&B, soul), Vernon Reid (rock); James “blood” Ulmer and Toshi Reagon (blues).
A tribue to Duke Ellington will be held today (March 7th) at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.
Jessye Norman will perform an excerpt of Duke Ellington’s Three Sacred Concerts called “Sacred Ellington.”
A three panel discussion will be held Sunday (March 8th) focusing on various aspects of the African American culFor more information on the festival, it’s fundings and sponsors, please visit carnegiehall.org/honor. ture experience.
Maya Angelou, Michael Eric Dyson, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Gwen Ifill, Judith Jamison, Tania Leon, Arthur Mitchell, Toni Morrison, George Shirley, Anna Deavere Smith and Cornel West are expected to participate.
On March 12th, a panel discussing the Dance Theatre of Harlem will be held at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
March 16th at Carnegie Hall will hold performances by The Roots, vocalists de’Adre Aziza and Tracie Luck and others.
Other programs and panels take place from March 17 until the conclusion of Honors! on March 23rd, with the “Honor: The Voice” event.
The program will unite acclaimed African American classical singers to pay tribute to icons who paved the way for succeeding generations.
Singers Harolyn Blackwell, Gregg Baker, Angela M. Brown, Nicole Cabell, Kevin Maynor, and Eric Owens are expected to perform.
For more information on the festival, it’s fundings and sponsors, please visit carnegiehall.org/honor.