Event

"Ma, Mahalia & the Man" 2014

Echoes of Our Ancestors, African-American History & Song www.echoesofourancestors.com is pleased to present a musical tribute to "Ma" Rainey, Mahalia Jackson, and Thomas A. Dorsey. Echoes of Our Ancestors founder and performer Tami Tyree tells the story of African-Americans through music. The Dorsey-Rainey-Jackson trio aligns itself with the mass migration of black Americans from the deep south to urban north and Midwestern cities. As blacks traveled upward, so did the rural sound of the blues which was translated into a more urban style by Dorsey and "Ma" Rainey. Dorsey, the son of a preacher, went back to his religious roots after a serious tragedy in his life which gave birth to the most famous song "Precious Lord (take my hand)" and he found the perfect soloist to sell and promote his music: an up-and coming singer named Mahalia Jackson, a newcomer from New Orleans to Chicago where Dorsey and "Ma" Rainey gained national acclaim. Dorsey brings his bluesy style to religious songs, and coins the phrase "gospel" music. Singer, Mahalia Jackson devotee, and Dorsey music historian Tami Tyree sings the Mahalia story, blues veteran LeeOlive Tucker gives us Thomas A. Dorsey, and the quintet of talented musicians led by Rudi Mwongozi artfully blend jazz stylings with gospel. The musical selections are a journey from the 1920's to Mahalia Jackson's historic solos at 1963's March on Washington.