Sweet Honey in the Rock

Sweet Honey is a Grammy-award-winning a cappella ensemble with deep roots in the sacred music of the black church-spirituals, hymns, gospel-as well as in jazz and blues. The Sweet Honey experience is like no other. Five African American women join their powerful voices, along with hand percussion instruments, to create a blend of lyrics, rhythm, movement and narrative that relates history, points the finger at justice, encourages activism and sings the praises of love. The music of Sweet Honey speaks out against oppression and exploitation of every kind. The members of Sweet Honey In The Rock are committed to evolving individually and collectively as musicians, composers, arrangers, singers and storytellers. While open to collaborations and exploring new ways of communicating with their audiences, they are dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American culture and singing traditions. Based in Washington, D.C., their roots are in a vocal workshop founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon (Professor of History at The American University and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Museum of American History) at the DC Black Repertory Company in 1973. Besides Reagon, the members of Sweet Honey are: Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard and sign language interpreter Shirley Childress Johnson. Although a live concert performance is the premier Sweet Honey in the Rock experience, this group has a serious recording output, with more than 14 releases to their credit, beginning with Sweet Honey in the Rock (Flying Fish, 1976). The quintet, whose words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American sign language, demands a just and humane world for all.

  -- CW