Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit May 5th, 2013

Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit May 5th, 2013

Percussionist, author, activist, and Pittsfield native Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit will present a free concert on Sunday, May 5th, 2013, at 3 pm. at the Zion Lutheran Church at 74 First Street, Pittsfield, MA. The event will be celebrating our ancestors and featuring selections from the Ancestors CD and Blood Drum Spirit Live in China CD. A free will offering is suggested and all proceeds from offerings will be donated to the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations Emergency Fuel Fund and to Berkshires Jazz, Inc. Hartigan will be joined by saxophonist David Bindman, pianist Art Hirahara, and bassist Wes Brown.The Blood Drum Spirit ensemble brings a global vision to music, exploring deep into the world’s great traditions through the prism of live jazz performance. Ensemble members have lived, played and toured throughout Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including four tours of China as featured ensemble at the renowned Beijing Midi Jazz Festival. They have released three double CDs, most recently Ancestors and Blood Drum Spirit Live in China, (Innova 2008), both to critical acclaim. In its 27th year, Blood Drum Spirit features a combination of world music with extended improvisations, original compositions reflecting influences from India and Africa, as well as unique interpretations of jazz classics in the African American tradition. For more information visit www.blooddrumspirit.com or royalhart.com/ensembles.