It has been nearly 30 years since five African American women decided to join their powerful voices, along with hand percussion instruments, to create a blend of lyrics, movement and narrative. The quintets words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American Sign Language. In other recent activities, founder Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon participated in the recent PBS special American Roots Music.
Sweet Honey in the Rock take their name from the age-old fable about a land so laden with riches you could break a rock in two and from within honey would flow. Since its inception, twenty-two women have participated in the ensemble and the group has released fifteen acclaimed albums and have toured extensively around the world. In 1988, they won the Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Folk Recording for their version of Lead Bellys Gray Goose on the album Folkways, A Vision Shared. The groups current members are Reagon, Ysaye Barnwell, Aisha Kahill, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Carol Maillard and sign language interpreter Shirley Childress Saxton.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
