CROSSROADS MUSIC NEWSLETTER – March 30, 2004
CONTENTS
1. This Saturday -- THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS
2. Calvary Cafe Menu
3. Upcoming events: SHARON KATZ & THE PEACE TRAIN
4. About Crossroads
5. New -- Donate online!
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1. THIS SATURDAY: THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS
How many singing groups reach their 75th anniversary? Better yet, how
many can celebrate it with a cut on a chart-climbing soundtrack, a
richly detailed book that documents their legacy, and a new album that
shows them at their soul-stirring best? Only one group qualifies - the
Dixie Hummingbirds. A pioneering force behind the evolution of the
modern gospel quartet sound, they are among the longest-lived and most
successful groups of their era; renowned for their imaginative
arrangements, progressive harmonies and all-around versatility, they
earned almost universal recognition as the greatest Southern quartet of
their generation.
In 2003, as the iron men of gospel mark three quarters of a century in
song, Bob Dylan featured them on the soundtrack of his film "Masked and
Anonymous," Oxford University Press published the highly acclaimed
history Great God A'Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds by Penn State
scholar Jerry Zolten, and Rounder Records released of Diamond
Jubilation, proving that they have yet to miss a beat. As Stevie Wonder
points out, the Dixie Hummingbirds “continue to press the envelope with
their greatness, linking us to a rich musical heritage that keeps us in
tune and in harmony with the universe and each other.”
Their remarkable journey began in 1920s Greenville, South Carolina,
organized by gospel great James B. Davis, then 12 years old. After
singing together in church through their high school years, Davis and
his friends embarked on a ten-year stint of "wildcatting" – taking
their act on the road to build up a reputation. In 1939, they began
recording on the prestigious Decca label, and in the early 1940s they
moved to Philadelphia, where easy access to a range of venues allowed
them to make a name for themselves on an even larger scale. By 1942,
they were wowing audiences at Cafe Society, New York's first integrated
nightclub, backed by legendary jazz saxophonist Lester Young and in the
1950s, they routinely brought down the house at the Apollo Theater.
While the Dixie Hummingbirds have always remained deeply rooted in the
gospel tradition, their influence has made itself known far and wide in
American popular music. Perhaps Isaac Hayes has put it most eloquently:
"In the beginning, after the word, and before there was rap, hip-hop,
disco, punk, funk, metal, soul, Motown, rock-a-billy, before bebop,
doo-wop, and the big band swing there was the Dixie Hummingbirds." But
the truth is that long before mainstream America knew their name, they
knew their music. Retired patriarch Davis is fond of noting that the
Dixie Hummingbirds have typically been about a decade ahead of the
curve. In the 1940s, for example, they were singing the kind of a
cappella harmonies that caught on as doo-wop in the 1950s, and in the
1950s, they added electric guitar to their sound, prefiguring the soul
music of the 1960s.
Lead singer Ira Tucker, Sr., who has been with the group since 1938,
when he was 13, was especially inspired and inspiring. Musicologist
Horace Boyer writes that "not only did he put his voice and vocal
technique to use, he also became the model for the 'activity' singer.
He ran up and down aisles, jumped from the stage, and spun around
without sacrificing one iota of the pure musical sound that he first
brought to the quartet. Indeed, he served as the model for many of the
rhythm and blues and soul singers from Jackie Wilson and Clyde
McPhatter to Bobby Blue Bland and the Temptations."
Advance tickets are encouraged:
http://www.crossroads.calvary-center.org/tickets.htm
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2. CALVARY CAFE MENU
The Calvary Cafe menu for April 3 is not yet availible. We include last
week's to give you a general idea of what to expect.
Combination Platter-- $5.00
(includes entree and two sides (vegetarian, three sides), beverage and
dessert)
A la carte:
Entrée -- $3.50
Sides -- $1.00 each
Desserts -- $1.00 each
Beverages -- $1.00 each
Snacks -- $ .50 each
Entrees:
Turkey Burger, Veggie Burger,Fish , Grilled Chicken (all served as a
sandwich or alone and with or without cheese and onions), Grilled
Cheese Sandwiches on Rye Bread, Macaroni and Cheese, , Cabbage Soup and
Rye Toast, Bagels with Cream Cheese.
Sides:
Macaroni and Cheese ,Cabbage, Salad.
Desserts:
A variety of Cakes, Pies, and Cookies.
Beverages:
Coffee, (regular and decaf), various Teas (regular and herbal), Hot
Chocolate (several kinds), Fruit Punch, Sodas (regular or diet, bottled
Spring Water
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3. UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, April 30, 2004 -- SHARON KATZ AND THE PEACE TRAIN
Sharon Katz made history in South Africa in 1993 when she formed the
country’s first-ever multi-cultural, multi-racial, and multi-lingual
performing group. 150 musicians toured the country by train, giving
concerts at every stop along their route. As the performers played,
sang and danced to promote a peaceful transition to democracy in South
Africa, TV and radio crews broadcast all the events to the nation. The
first time worldwide audiences saw Katz perform was on CNN in April
1994. By then, a date had been set for South Africa’s first democratic
election and she had been commissioned by the Independent Electoral
Commission to write songs in many of South Africa’s languages to teach
people how to vote for the first time in their lives. In1995, they
began to spread their message of peace and reconcilliation around the
world as South Africa’s “Cultural Ambassadors.”
Between tours, Katz, a trained music therapist, works to help heal the
nation from the wounds of apartheid. She also works in other trouble
spots around the world, earning her a reputation for converting “gang
members in to band members.” With violence, intolerance and problems in
schools becoming a daily concern in America too, Katz has established a
second base in Philadelphia, from which she runs workshops and concerts
in schools, universities and community centers across the country.
For more information:
http://www.sharonkatz.com
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4. ABOUT CROSSROADS MUSIC
Crossroads events fall into three main groups. Philadelphia Crossroads
continues the original Crossroads Music Series, which presented
contrasting but related music from two different Philadelphia
communities on the second Saturday of each month. Beginning in October,
Root and Branch concerts continue the former Cherry Tree Music Co-op's
series of concerts by nationally-known touring artists. Finally, the
Folklife Center's Nada Brahma (Sanskrit for "The World is Sound")
events will present locally-based and national and international
touring artists from culturally-specific traditions around the world.
In addition, we collaborate with other organizations in producing
several free community events at other West Philadelphia locations each
year.
All concerts take place at 7:30 pm in the historic Calvary United
Methodist Church. Oak paneling, red carpets, and a horseshoe balcony
make the room feel more like an intimate theater than a church. Calvary
Center is located at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue. The 34
subway-surface trolley stops at the door, and a free, well-lit, and
city-maintained parking lot is located on the block. Dinner and
refreshments are available at the concerts and at excellent restaurants
nearby.
For advance tickets, directions, or other information:
http://www.crossroads.calvary-center.org
215-729-1028
(We have limited office hours but check voicemail several times a day
-- if there is no answer, please leave a message and we’ll call you
back).
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5. HOW DO WE PAY FOR THESE EVENTS?
Occasionally, we get asked how we pay for Crossroads concerts. Our
largest source of income is ticket sales, but we also receive some
funds from program book advertisers, Calvary Center, and individual
donations. We inherited what funds the Cherry Tree Music Co-op had left
when it closed, and we are actively pursuing grant funding to keep
things going once this runs out.
We also gratefully accept individual donations, and even a small amount
of money can make a big difference. If each subscriber to our email
list contributed only $10 a year, for example, we’d be able to book the
entire season in advance, to expand the number of events presented, and
to substantially expand our publicity. You can donate online at:
http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=12011&;;
Please remember to indicate that your donation is for Crossroads.
Crossroads Music is a program of the Calvary Center for Culture and
Community, a non-sectarian nonprofit organization that seeks to restore
and increase community use of the historic Calvary Church building. All
donations are fully tax-deductible, and 100% of contributions
designated for Crossroads Music go directly to that program. Checks
should be made payable to Calvary Center and mailed to Crossroads
Music, c/o Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 South 48th Street,
Philadelphia PA 19143.
We thank you for your support.
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