“Up From the Roots,” a Concert to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Thirteenth Amendment

The Office of Cultural Affairs, Grinnell College Libraries, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion present “Up From the Roots,” a concert commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4, at Herrick Chapel. The program features soprano Randye Jones and saxophonist Damani Phillips, along with the Young, Gifted, and Black Gospel Choir. They are joined by pianists Marlys Grimm and Ha Na Song, vocalist Gary Jackson, organist Sam Salamone, and drummer Tim Crumley.

The program focuses on the African-American influence on music from the end of the American Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century, and includes a myriad of traditional African-American musical selections.

“We are taking a different approach to the impact African-Americans have had on the history and culture of the United States,” explains Randye Jones, who also serves on the Libraries’ staff. “We want to look at the role they played in shaping the musical development of this country by touching briefly on the roots, the Negro Spiritual, and some of its many branches, namely Gospel music, Blues, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, and even how African-Americans influence Western Classical music.”

“Up From the Roots” is free and open to the public.