Apollo New Works artist, vocalist, composer Martha Redbone teams up with longtime collaborator composer, pianist, producer Aaron Whitby to celebrate the words of bell hooks in their developmental work-in-process Guardian Spirit: The Poetry of bell hooks, a multidisciplinary musical exploration of bell hooks’ landmark work, Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place. Known for their powerful and award-winning settings of poets Ntozake Shange in for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuff, Drama Desk Award 2019; Broadway revival 2022 and William Blake, album The Garden of Love: Songs of William Blake, Redbone and Whitby channel bell hooks’ meditative, confessional, and political lyricism into a genre-defying soundscape that echoes the spirit of her Kentucky roots and heritage she shares with Redbone.
"Her stories shone a radiant light on everything I had ever known and so many secrets lost before my time, bell hooks helped me listen to the whisperings of the guardian spirit. Having left our planet less than a year ago, it is only fitting to celebrate her writings setting them in music and storytelling." - Martha Redbone Ensemble: Martha Redbone- Vocals, percussion Aaron Whitby- Music Director, Piano, keys Charlie Burnham- Violin, vocals Robin Macatangay- Guitar Fred Cash- Bass Kevin Johnson- Drums Keith Anthony Fluitt - vocals Ramona Renea - vocals Vivian Sessoms - vocals Guardian Spirit is generously supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.