Violin Woman, African Dreams

About

Composer and violinist Diane Monroe draws on her decades-long career to craft a musical memoir that bridges jazz, classical, and traditional African music, revealing an African-American violinist’s trials and triumphs.

Written for violin, West African kora (a long-necked, 21-string, plucked instrument), banjo, Western string quartet, percussion, and bass, the composition provides a framework for improvisations by each player, and weaves a musical narrative that incorporates sound, visual art by Curlee Raven Holton, and spoken word. Monroe’s acclaimed collaborators include adventurous string ensemble PUBLIQuartet, banjoist and Broadway veteran Ayodele Maakheru, and Yacouba Sissoko, an internationally recognized master of West African kora and traditional storytelling.

Performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. “Violin Woman, African Dreams” has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.