American Patchwork Quartet Bring Immigrant Life And Underrepresented Voices To America’s Folk Traditions On Self-Titled Debut Album Out Today
Award-Winning Artists Come Together Across Cultures And Musical Backgrounds; Listen To Their Story Via NPR’s Here & Now: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/02/09/american-patchwork-quartet-folk
New York Album Release Celebration Taking Place February 10 At Joe’s Pub; Followed By Coast-To-Coast US Tour
American Patchwork Quartet (APQ) has released their self-titled debut album today, an urgent and profound statement from four award-winning artists looking to reclaim the immigrant soul of roots music, by lifting up its underrepresented voices. Beginning with the country’s centuries-old standards, the members of APQ renew America’s folk traditions by redefining what it means to be 'traditionally American' in the first place. They achieve this by drawing on their own unique American stories, perspectives and experiences - which, in too many cases, were not incorporated when these songs were first popularized.
The project comes from the combined talents of: two-time GRAMMY winner Clay Ross (Best Regional Roots Album; 2020 and 2022), GRAMMY-winning vocalist Falu (the first female singer-songwriter from India to win the award), go-to jazz bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Cecile McLorin Salvant, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling) and drummer Clarence Penn (whose played on two GRAMMY-winning records, won a Juno Award and was mentored by Ellis Marsalis). Listen to their take on the Pete Seeger favorite "Shenandoah,” traditionally revolving around the singer yearning for the daughter of a Native American chief - but here, the messages of longing and separation at its core are reframed to be a tale of seeking "home": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuAmys-ajRE
Listen to the debut album American Patchwork Quartet in full here: https://americanpatchworkquartet.bandcamp.com/
Clay Ross and Falu joined NPR’s Here & Now today for an in-depth conversation about the origins, intentions and driving forces behind American Patchwork Quartet - listen to that interview here: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/02/09/american-patchwork-quartet-folk
APQ’s debut stands as a vital celebration of our shared dreams, rich histories and the all-important role of immigrants, and of multicultural communities, in our American story. Especially in the face of a divisive election year, where many politicians continue hammering a narrow and close-minded definition of what ‘being American’ means - a whole-hearted embrace of unity in diversity feels more essential than ever. APQ had previously shared advance tracks “Beneath The Willow” (which was released for National Immigrants Day), “Gone For Soldier” and “Lazy John.” Following today's album release, they’ll bring their debut on a full US tour - including a release celebration at Joe’s Pub in New York City tomorrow night, Saturday February 10th: https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2024/a/american-patchwork-quartet/
AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET - TRACKLIST:
Beneath The Willow
Lazy John
The Devil's Nine
Cuckoo Bird
Shenandoah
Pretty Saro
Soul of a Man
Gone For Soldier
Big Sciota
Wind And Rain
I'm So Glad
Wayfaring Stranger
John The Revelator
The Blackest Crow
AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET - TOUR DATES
February 9, 2024 - Princeton, NJ - McCarter Theatre Center
February 10, 2024 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub (Album Release Celebration)
February 16, 2024 - Goshen, IN - Goshen College Music Center
February 17, 2024 - Joplin, MO - Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex Beshore Performance Hall
February 21, 2024 - Santa Cruz, CA - Kuumbwa Jazz Center
February 22, 2024 - Rohnert Park, CA - Green Music Center at Sonoma State University
February 23, 2024 - Modesto, CA - Gallo Center for the Performing Arts
February 24, 2024 - Tempe, AZ - Tempe Center for the Arts
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