October 25, 2014 This is crazy cool and such a tremendous honor to be part of this event! A couple years back we had the privilege of representing our genre as the first guest artists from the zydeco music community to address the students of the American Roots music and African studies departments. The thoughtful and smart, Cathy H. curates and programs these unique opportunities for both students and artists. The performances, lectures and outreach were a great success-so much that the American Roots department head called the agent/manager following our visit to express his enthusiasm and extend thanks. It was entirely our pleasure to be part of such a progressive program that is leading the way in music studies. They have tried to get us back since then and this year it clicked. We respect these folks so much and are very grateful to have to opportunity to work with their talented team of programmers and faculty. From the Berklee website:
Special Guests: Berklee’s 20th Anniversary Encore Gala will feature master of ceremonies Jamie Lee Curtis, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, and Fred Wesley, best known for his work with James Brown. Rising bluegrass sensation Sierra Hull ’11 and Grammy-winning American zydeco musician Terrance Simien will also perform. Join us for a reception, dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment featuring 150 musicians and a host of surprises for Berklee’s 20th Anniversary Encore Gala! All proceeds benefit the Berklee City Music program, a nonprofit education program that harnesses the energy of contemporary music to reach underserved fourth- to twelfth-graders.