African Queens

An evening-length vocal recital of brilliantly curated new art songs celebrating the history and legacy of seven African Queens, revered as rulers but not widely heralded in the Western world. The program weaves this historical narrative through eight songs written for soprano Karen Slack by some of today’s most acclaimed composers, including three recent Music Academy guest composers, Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson, along with Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Shawn Okpebholo, and Dave Ragland, with text by Lorene Cary, Alicia Haymer, Tsitsi Ella Jaji, and Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton, and Creative Collaborator for the African Queens project, Jay Saint Flono, performed in collaboration with pianist Kevin Miller.

Each song reflects the beauty, humility, passion, and power of each Queen being celebrated.