HVCC offers series of World Music concerts for Fall 2021
TROY, N.Y. » The Cultural Affairs Program will present “A Celebration of World Music,” featuring four local groups well known to many in the Capital Region, during the Fall 2021 semester at Hudson Valley Community College. Plans call for each program to be presented inperson in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center on the Troy campus, as well as live streamed from that location. The live stream access link to each program will be available at www.hvcc. edu/culture. The upcoming, hour-long concerts — open free to all — are:
• Embe Esti — Sept. 23 at noon. Embe Esti is an intercontinental fusion band whose sound is inspired by the African Diaspora and other global traditions. Performing its soulful dance music since 2017, the group consists of Taunya Hannibal-Williams, aka Lady T, (vocals), Scott Collins (guitar), Carl Blackwood (guitar), Mike Dimin (bass), and Aaron Shields (drums). Embe Esti has performed at The Linda, The Star Theater at Cherry Valley Artworks, Amsterdam Riverwalk, and at benefit concerts for Habitat for Humanity and Food Not Bombs.
• Taína Asili y la Banda Rebelde — Oct. 21 at noon. When Puerto Rican singer Taína Asili takes the stage, whether solo or with her faithful la Banda Rebelde, she can’t help but attract attention. Raucous and rhythmic, the music dares audiences to stay seated while emphasizing the strong messages of freedom and social justice in Asili’s powerful lyrics. The duo of Taína Asili and guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro first performed at HVCC in spring 2010, and quickly became perennial favorites. Their most recent visit was via Zoom in fall 2020. This concert promises an energetic fusion of AfroLatin, reggae and rock music that exudes spirit and inspiration.
• HEARD — Nov. 4 at noon. Heard is a handful of extremely-talented musicians, who bring together their skills and passion for world music, jazz and improvisation to create irresistible grooves set in a unique, sonic tapestry. In just over a decade, the group’s vibrant sound has grown to incorporate influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and beyond. The core quintet features Composer Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius (keyboards/vocals), Jonathan Greene (woodwinds), Bobby Kendall (bass), Brian Melick (drums) and Zorkie Nelson (percussion/vocals). Energetic and upbeat, Heard will open your ears and heart.
• Golfstrom — Nov. 11 at noon. Golfstrom performs an eclectic mix of 1930’s to 1960’s folk and pop songs that originated in France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, Argentina and beyond. Golfstrom features Jonathan Greene on clarinet, Bobby Kendall on string bass, Sergei Nirenburg on accordion and vocals, and Brian Melick on percussion. The band was nominated for a local Thomas Edison (“Eddie”) Music Award (International/World Music Artist of the Year) in both 2019 and 2020.
Visit www.hvcc.edu/culture for the live stream access link to each event. Contact Debby Gardner at d.gardner@hvcc.edu for more information.