Musicians of Silkroad Ensemble and special guest Pura Fé present the D.C.-area premiere of Uplifted Voices January 29 at the Center for the Arts.
The GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble, founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and now under the Artistic Direction of Rhiannon Giddens, debuts their newest program Uplifted Voices at the Center on January 29, as part of their multi-year participation as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Championing women and non-binary members of the Silkroad Ensemble alongside special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé, Uplifted Voices weaves a musical tapestry connecting the sounds and rhythms of indigenous North America to the World. This performance is the first as part of Silkroad Ensemble’s three-year residency with the Center for the Arts, during which they will engage the community through a variety of events, classes, and discussions.
The Center recently asked cellist, composer, and Silkroad artist Karen Ouzounian (pictured above at far left) about the upcoming performance, which will be the work’s D.C.-area premiere.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be debuting Uplifted Voices at George Mason University,” she shared. “Springing from the rich and varied musical roots and creativity of our ensemble, this program features new compositions and improvisations, as well as re-imaginings of contemporary and traditional works. Created through a joyful and collaborative process, we have felt an incredible passion and intense energy in writing, developing, and rehearsing this repertoire that spotlights female and non-binary composers and music-makers. We can’t wait to share these powerful voices with you.”
Uplifted Voices features Ouzounian (cello) and Fé (Lap-steel Slide Guitar, vocals), as well as Haruka Fujii (percussion), Maeve Gilchrist (Celtic harp, vocals), Wu Man (pipa), and Mazz Swift (violin, vocals).
To secure tickets and learn more about the Uplifted Voices performance on January 29 at 4 p.m. visit the Center for the Arts’ event webpage, and enjoy this short preview video.