Sweet Honey in the Rock
is an internationally renowned all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are a Grammy Award-winning (and many times nominated) troupe who express their history as women of color through song, while entertaining their audience. They have together worked from four women to the difficult five-part harmony with the sixth member translating with sign language. Although the members have changed over 3 decades, they continue to sing and have helped to produce several children's records as well as those intended for adults.
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SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK TICKETS
EVENT | DATE | AVAILABILITY |
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Sweet Honey In The Rock Tickets 12/14 | Dec 14, 2024 Sat, 9:30 PM | | Sweet Honey In The Rock Tickets 12/14 | Dec 14, 2024 Sat, 7:00 PM | | Sweet Honey In The Rock Tickets 12/15 | Dec 15, 2024 Sun, 8:00 PM | | Sweet Honey In The Rock Tickets 12/15 | Dec 15, 2024 Sun, 5:30 PM | | Sweet Honey In the Rock Tickets 12/19 | Dec 19, 2024 Thu, 8:00 PM | |
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Musical career
Sweet Honey in the Rock was founded in
1973 by
Bernice Johnson Reagon who founded the group out of singers from a vocal workshop she was teaching with the
Washington, D.C. Black Repertory Company. Reagon retired from the group in 2004. The name of the group was derived from a song, based on
Psalm 81:16, which tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them.
[1] Johnson has said that this first song in which four women blended their voices was so powerful, that there was no question what the name of the group should be.
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Sweet Honey in the Rock has received several
Grammy Award nominations, including one for their children's album,
Still the Same Me
which received the Silver Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications. They won a
Grammy Award in
1989 in the category of
Best Traditional Folk Recording for their version of
Leadbelly's "Grey Goose" from the compilation album
Folkways: A Vision Shared
.
Influences
Sweet Honey in the Rock has been producing music for more than 30 years. Although the members of the group have changed over time, their music has consistently combined contemporary rhythms and narratives with a musical style rooted in the
Gospel music,
spirituals and
hymns of the African-American Church. The ensemble tackles difficult five-part harmonies and composes much of their own music. They have addressed topics including motherhood, spirituality,
freedom,
civil rights,
domestic violence, and racism.
Members
Over the years, more than 20 individuals have lent their voices to Sweet Honey in the Rock. Beginning as a
quartet, the group is now composed of six African-American women (including a professional
American Sign Language interpreter who accompanies the group on concert tours).
Current group members
- Ysaye Maria Barnwell
- Nitanju Bolade Casel
- ArnaƩ (on leave during the 2006-07 season)
- Aisha Kahlil
- Louise Robinson (an original ensemble member)
- Carol Lynn Maillard (an original ensemble member)
- Shirley Childress Saxton (sign language interpreter)
Previous group members
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- Bernice Johnson Reagon (founder)
- Mie
- Dianaruthe Wharton
- Evelyn Marie Harris
- Rosie Lee Hooks
- Ayodele Harrington
- Ingrid Ellis
- Tia Juana Starks
- Patricia Johnson
- Yasmeen Williams
- Laura Sharp
- Tulani Jordan Kinard
- Helena Coleman
- Geraldine Hardin
- Akua Opokuwaa
Discography
Awards and nominations
Nominations
- Grammy Awards 2008 Best Musical Album For Children -Experience...101
- Grammy Awards 2000 Best Musical Album For Children - Still the Same Me
References
- Frequently asked questions