History’s Persistent Voice, with Julia Bullock

Artists

Christian Reif – conductor
Julia Bullock – voice and curator
Hana S. Kim – visual artist

Programme

MONTGOMERY Five Freedom Songs  Listen 

KINOSHI blue skies, bluer seas

LOGGINS-HULL Mama’s Little Precious Thing

LEÓN Green Pastures

Julia Bullock brings her mixed-media project History’s Persistent Voice to London, shining a light on the words, work and experiences of Black American artists.

Bullock commissioned the songs in the project from leading Black women composers. Jessie Montgomery reimagines songs from an anthology collected just after the American Civil War, recording the music of singers who had only recently gained their freedom. Allison Loggins-Hull’s setting is a bluesy lullaby, and Tania León’s work reflects on the impact of poverty and discrimination.

In each city that hosts History’s Persistent Voice, a local composer is commissioned to add their voice to the project. In London you can be the first to hear a brand new work by Mercury-nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer Cassie Kinoshi.

The songs are accompanied by video installations designed by visual artist Hana S. Kim, and interspersed with readings from Black American writers past and present.