Abyssinian 200: A Celebration
On April 10, 11, 12 & 19, Jazz at Lincoln Center celebrates The Abyssinian Baptist Church’s bicentennial with Abyssinian 200: A Celebration, a special mass and world premiere of music written by Wynton for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir.
Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III delivers a rousing sermon in this special concert event, which supremely melds jazz and gospel traditions.
WBGO 88.3FM and XM Channel 70 will broadcast Abyssinian 200: A Celebration on April 12 at 8 p.m.
When/where:
April 10, 11 & 12, 2008 8 p.m. at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th St., New York, NY.
April 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Place (formerly 138th St.) between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and Malcolm X. Blvd., New York, NY
Tickets for the concerts at Frederick P. Rose Hall are $30, $50, $75, $95, $120
Tickets for the concerts at the Abyssinian Baptist Church are $50, $75, $100, $200
All tickets are available at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office on Broadway at 60th St., by calling CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500 or via www.jalc.org
Photo and video from Abyssinian 200 rehearsals
Review and photo from Abyssinian 200 performance
Video from Abyssinian 200 performance
Jason P. said
on April 5, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
I look forward!!!!!!!!!
this music has to be awesome!
vickie washington said
on April 8, 2008 @ 4:17 am
oooooooo… I can’t wait to hear it! Will be listening from Texas…(you know my child is singing!)
on and up!
ZW said
on April 8, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Thanks so much to all concerned for getting this broadcast on XM radio. I will also be tuning in from Texas.
Will be curious to see how this compares to “Premature Autopsies” and “In This House . . .”
gloria said
on April 10, 2008 @ 9:00 am
What an inspirational collaborative effort!
New article describing Abyssinian 200:
http://www.miamiherald.com/776/story/489385.html
In 2004, Dr. Butts and Wynton collaborated on a production for the opening of Rose Hall. Rev. Butts recited a memorable interpretation of a speech by MLK. It was incredible.
“Let Freedom Swing: A Celebration of Human Rights and Social Justice featured the words of renowned activists set to original commissioned music performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.”
This program is featured on the J@LC Jazzcast: http://jalc.org/jazzcast/program.asp?programNumber=231
“Dr. Butts delivered the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a minister whose bravery, intelligence and unwavering dedication to non-violence pushed our nation to strive for equality, justice and freedom for all Americans. During this delivery, the commissioned musical work of Billy Childs will be featured.”
Biography of Dr. Butts: http://www.abyssinian.org/index.php?l=101
“I am proud to have been asked to participate in this wonderful event,” said Dr. Butts. “Linking the words of the greatest human rights leaders of our time with the compelling presence of jazz music can be a powerful force for educating society. There may be few better ways to raise our nation’s collective conscience about the progress we’ve made and the progress we must make on issues of social justice.”
Abyssinian 200 goes a step further towards this goal.
Congratulations to both Wynton and Dr. Butts for their unstinting dedication and creative focus.
Karen said
on April 10, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Wynton,
My best wishes at the premier tonight!!
Karen
Marjory said
on May 15, 2008 @ 6:43 am
A Celebration: Abyssinian 200 - will you perform it again?