U of M to present 26th annual concert to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What: "Music for Martin" - 26th annual concert to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When: 4 p.m. Sunday Jan. 21, 2007 Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St. S. Minneapolis Contacts: Jen Keavy, School of Music, (612) 626-1094; e-mail: jkeavy@umn.edu Mark Cassutt, University News Service, (612) 624-8038 |
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 12/19/2006 ) -- The University of Minnesota Office for Equity and Diversity and the School of Music present "Music for Martin," the 26th annual concert celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of Blackness headlines the concert this year with local acappella group 4given as the opening act. The 90-minute concert will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St. S. Minneapolis. The concert is free and open to the public, and no advance tickets are required. The lobby will open at 3 p.m. Parking is available in the 21st Avenue parking ramp, one block southwest of the concert hall. For disability accommodations for the concert, please call (612) 626-1094. Since January of 1971, the Sounds of Blackness have consistently performed and proclaimed the music, culture and history of African-Americans to audiences all over the world. From jazz and blues, to rock & roll, R&B, gospel, spirituals, hip-hop, reggae and soul, this group colors each and every "sound of blackness" with uplifting messages of hope, unity, love and peace for all humankind, and then works passionately to achieve it. Under the direction of Gary Hines, the group recently performed concerts in Japan and London, and will return to London in early 2007. The message, motivation and music of Sounds of Blackness has inspired the lives of millions worldwide for more than 35 years. Also appearing on the program is 4given, whose style has been compared to such gospel groups as Take Six, Glad and Commission. Their exceptional a cappella sound is unparalleled in the Twin Cities and the Upper Midwest. Led by their mother, Kara Miller, the group has sung across the region at churches, professional sporting events, conferences and concerts. The founder of these annual concerts, University of Minnesota professor Reginald Buckner, began a tradition of celebrating the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the performing arts. Buckner was an outstanding performer, composer and educator, and was instrumental in establishing a jazz studies program at the university. More information about the concert can be found at www.music.umn.edu. ---------- |
