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The Troy Record published an article Sept. 16 about the upcoming Celebration of World Music to be offered free to the public — both in persona and via live stream — by the college’s Cultural Affairs Program.<\/p>\n
The Cultural Affairs Program will present \u201cA Celebration of World Music,\u201d 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 in-person 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 \u2013 open free to all \u2013 are:<\/p>\n
Embe Esti \u2013 Sept. 23 at noon<\/strong> Ta\u00edna Asili y la Banda Rebelde \u2013 Oct. 21 at noon<\/strong> HEARD \u2013 Nov. 4 at noon<\/strong> Golfstrom \u2013 Nov. 11 at noon<\/strong>
\nEmbe 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. [Editor’s note: Hannibal-Williams is community outreach specialist in the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.]<\/p>\n
\nWhen Puerto Rican singer Ta\u00edna Asili takes the stage, whether solo or with her faithful la Banda Rebelde, she can\u2019t 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\u2019s powerful lyrics. The duo of Ta\u00edna 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
\nconcert promises an energetic fusion of Afro-Latin, reggae and rock music that exudes spirit and inspiration.<\/p>\n
\nHeard 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\nGolfstrom performs an eclectic mix of 1930\u2019s to 1960\u2019s 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 (\u201cEddie\u201d) Music Award (International\/World Music Artist of the Year) in both 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n