City College Center For The Arts Hits Sweet Note With 'a Soulful Music Celebration'

A joyful lesson in Black musical history will take place at Aaron Davis Hall on Saturday, April 7, as acclaimed performers Marvin Lowe and Queen Esther Marrow lead a cast of singers in exploration of the diversity and brilliance of Black American music through the decades at "A Soulful Music Celebration." Presented by City College Center for the Arts (CCCA) in partnership with Marvin Lowe & Friends, the 3 p.m. concert will feature an ensemble of artists and singers taking audiences on a fantastic journey of music, culture and heritage.

Developed by singer Marvin Lowe, "A Soulful Music Celebration" brings performers from the Broadway, gospel and concert stages together to commemorate the African-American experience through song. From call-and-response to Negro spirituals and gospel to blues and jazz, the multitude of musical genres that have emerged from the Black experience in America as well as the role of music in uplifting and strengthening the community will be celebrated through songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"; "Make Them Hear You" from the musical Ragtime; "Come Sunday" and ­­­­"Give Me Jesus."

Special guest star Queen Esther Marrow, a powerhouse singer who began her career with legendary composer-pianist Duke Ellington, will also take part in the event, performing gospel standards that have gained her critical acclaim during her many years touring Europe. Guiding the audience through the journey will be narrator Reverend Rashad Raymond Moore, assistant minister at Abyssinian Baptist Church, providing historical context for the songs and helping to shape the listeners' understanding of the concert. Under the musical direction of James Davis Jr., "A Soulful Celebration of Music" will also feature performances by singers Brandie Sutton, Lucia Bradford, Sam McKelton, La Fredrick Coaxner and Voices from Harlem.

"I first created these 'soulful celebration' concerts as a way to provide singers with a platform to entertain and educate audiences about the history of our music. So often we tour in Europe or Asia to share these songs and history with audiences, but we aren't able to share them with our own communities," said event co-organizer Marvin Lowe. "This show is a vehicle of truth and faith, one we are thrilled to perform at City College Center for the Arts for music fans in Harlem."

"Music is such a vital part of all cultures, but it has always been particularly significant to Blacks in America, helping to tell our story to audiences around the globe and to push our people forward during difficult times," said CCCA Managing Director Gregory Shanck. "We are very happy to bring this celebration to our audience."

Tickets for "A Soulful Music Celebration" are $30 general admission and $20 for students and seniors with ID. Tickets can be purchased online at www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org or in person at the Aaron Davis Hall box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. For more details, visit the CCCA site or call the Aaron Davis Hall box office at (212) 650-6900.

Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of the City College of New York, at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (129 Convent Avenue).

City College Center for the Arts can be followed on Twitter at @ccnyarts.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Marvin Lowe is native of Philadelphia who has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He has performed with the New York City Opera, Washington Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Ebony and Virginia Opera. On the concert stage his credits include solo performances with the National Cathedral Choral Society and a performance in Abyssinian 200: A Celebration at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis. In addition to classical and theatrical performances, his television and film credits include Live from Lincoln Center as well as appearances in Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy and Spike Lee's Malcolm X.

Queen Esther Marrow began her career in music at the age of 22 when she was discovered by the legendary Duke Ellington. Her early career was spent with Ellington, Harry Belafonte and others, laying a foundation for the opportunities that would soon follow: Broadway, film, concerts and television. She has shared the stage with Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, her idol Mahalia Jackson, and many others. Her lifetime goal has been to inspire people with her music, and she has spent 26 years traveling as co-creator and star of the world's most successful inspirational show, which bears her name, playing sold-out shows all over Europe and other parts of the world.

About the City College Center for the Arts:
The City College Center for the Arts hosts an ambitious, year-round calendar of student and professional performances. The mission of the City College Center for the Arts is to provide a creative arts center and focal point for the City College of New York, building a sense of community within the College, elevating the profile of Aaron Davis Hall in the greater New York area, and connecting the College to the surrounding community through the arts.