A living tribute to the diverse musical traditions that have shaped our nation.
The original American Roots Revue crew from 2011 is back! Tonight, experience Gospel, R&B, blues, folk, rock ‘n roll, and Indigenous music, featuring Anishinaabe Ojibwe artist Dorene Day Waubanewquay. The scintillating foursome of Larry Long, Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes Kendrick and JD Steele will be backed by a superlative band led by Billy Steele from Sounds of Blackness (keyboards/vocals), Joe Savage (pedal steel), Larry Dalton (bass), Greg Schutte (drums), and David Feily (guitar).
Don’t miss these veteran artists whose outstanding credits include stellar performances at the recent NO KINGS event to album credits and show appearances at renowned concert venues from Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden, honoring Rosa Parks, Pete Seeger and many others.
MEET THE ARTISTS:
Robert Robinson gives us reason to believe that the greatest music reaches every name and crosses every boundary. Thus, Robinson has wowed audiences from the Pontiac Silverdome to South Korea. Here, Robert is “God’s canary,” with the ability to sing any song and yet remain true to his vision.
Tonia Hughes is a recent McKnight Fellow. Her passion for music often results in culturally diverse collaborations alongside some of Minnesota’s most accomplished musicians. Furthermore, she has performed at Orchestra Hall, Lincoln Center and at hundreds of venues throughout the Twin Cities.
J.D. Steele exploded onto the Minnesota music scene in the mid 1980’s along with Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Then, Mr. Steele and his dynamic vocal siblings, The Steeles, garnered every major music award Minnesota has to offer.
Billy Steele performs, writes, and produces for the Grammy-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness. Also, Billy is the youngest of the legendary Steele family. Additionally, he appears on soundtracks with artists such as Rod Stewart and Luther Vandross.
Dorene Day Waubanewquay is an Ojibwe-Anishinabe Kwe of the Waubizayshi O’dodem – Marten Clan, from Asabikone zaaga I’ gunning – Bois Forte Reservation in northern Minnesota. There, she carries the responsibility of song keeper for her Midewiwin lodge. Moreover, her name means “Daybreak Woman,” someone who asks the darkness to give way to the light each morning.
Larry Long is an American singer-songwriter who has made his life work the celebration of everyday heroes. Here, author and historian Studs Terkel called Larry “a true American troubadour.” When America’s foremost folksinger, Pete Seeger, learned that Long was called the Pete Seeger of Minneapolis, Seeger chuckled. “I’d be proud to be known as ‘the Larry Long of New York.'”
Recommended for fans of Mavis Staples, Ulali, Sam Cooke, The Freedom Singers, Mahalia Jackson, and Pete Seeger.
