More than 50 acts slated for Sound Session ’07

PROVIDENCE – Donald W. “Don” King, executive artistic director of the Providence Black Repertory Company, was joined today by Mayor David N. Cicilline in announcing the lineup for the July 15 to 21 Sound Session 2007.
A host of drummers, singers and other entertainers in festive carnival costumes surrounded the pair, giving their 10 a.m. news conference a little of the flavor of the “genre-defying” summer festival, which has grown to more than 50 performers.
The lineup includes soul stars The Spinners; jazz greats James Moody and Ben Allison; the funk of Brazil’s Azymuth; hip-hop artist Taylor McFerrin; the New Orleans-style Youngblood Brass Band; and “Afro-Rican” Grammy nominees Plena Libre.
“Sound Session is genuine cultural exchange at its best,” said King. “It educates, inspires, excites the imagination and amplifies the kind of cultural programming and shared experience that Black Rep offers all year round.”
Produced by the Providence Black Repertory, in collaboration with the city Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, the festival cites as its inspiration the cultural traditions and music of the African diaspora.
“These types of festivals not only help improve the quality of life for our residents, they help fuel our economy,” said Lynne McCormack, the city’s director of Art, Culture & Tourism.
Sound Session 2007 will kick off with gospel music on Sunday, July 15, at the Black Repertory Company’s Xxodus Café and culminate the following Saturday with a concert at Waterplace Park, a parade through Providence and a Westminster Street block party. N between, it will include workshops, neighborhood concerts and master classes for the community.
“Over the past three years, Sound Session has grown into one of our region’s most exciting music festivals, attracting thousands of people to our city from all over New England,” Cicilline said. The event “transcends cultural barriers and brings people together from diverse backgrounds for a week of great, live entertainment.”
The mayor thanked lead corporate sponsor Bank Rhode Island for its support of the festival and its overall commitment to the arts. Other Sound Session 2007 sponsors include the CW 28, New England Ford Dealers, the Providence Tourism Council, Budweiser, Graphic Innovations, Struever Brothers, Eccles & Rouse, the Narragansett Brewing Co., Scion and Fox Scion Motors, The Boston Weekly Dig, Verizon, MetLife Auto & Home, The Providence American, The Providence Journal, Providence Online, the Providence Phoenix, Poder 1110, HOT 106 and WBRU, The Providence Foundation and the R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).
To learn more about Sound Session 2007, including ticket information, the full performance schedule and artist bios, visit www.providencesoundsession.com.