| Holiday Music by Odetta and Yomo Toro |
Ashe Records is proud of its relationship to two iconic artists from two important cultures. Odetta, one of America's most distinguished African-American singers and musical scholars, sings the old Christmas Spirituals as they were sung 200 years ago. This is a music that, born of oppression, lifts and frees the spirit. Celebremos Navidad, by Puerto Rico's beloved Yomo Toro, takes the old aguinaldos sung every year at Christmas time in Puerto Rico and offers them back with swinging salsa and bomba/plena arrangements played and sung by Puerto Rico and New York's finest. These records may celebrate the season but they're good all year round.
|
| Alvin Ailey Dance Company to perform 'Odetta' on their 2017 U.S. Tour |
The Alvin Ailey Dance Company's acclaimed piece "Odetta" continues to be included in their repertory. Having just received a great reception in their winter run at New York's City Center, the company will continue to include Odetta in their upcoming U.S. tour. The inspiration for this work began when Ailey Artist Director Robert Battle attended the memorial for Odetta in New York's Riverside Church with Rachel Faro, president of Ashe Records and producer of the album. Robert was so moved by this memorial, where he heard the words of Maya Angelou and the dedicated singing of Pete Seeger that he encouraged Matthew Rushing to choreograph a suite of dances around several of Odetta's songs. This tribute to one of America's greatest African-American personages remains one of Ailey's most popular offerings.
|
|
