Nov. 7, 2023 By Rachel Butler
Flushing Town Hall‘s mini global mashup series is set to return on Friday, Nov. 17, with the “Barbados Meets USA African American Spirituals” concert.
is preparing to host its upcoming performance combining musicians from Barbados and American jazz musicians on Nov. 17.
The performance will blend Caribbean music with American jazz and is a continuation of Flushing Town Hall’s mini global mashup series, which sees musicians from across the globe come together for a unique combination of music and an entertaining night for all those in attendance each month.
Steel drummer Adrian Clarke from Barbados will be joining American jazz bassist Hilliard Greene to fuse their music together, offering attendees the soulfulness of jazz music blended with the tropical sounds of the Caribbean. Each artist will play their own set reflecting their respective sounds and cultures before ‘mashing up’ in a third, collaborative set. The program closes with a post-concert discussion with the artists and audience.
Clarke is a former tennis player who started playing the steel drums when he was visiting Trinidad. Always interested in the instrument, he bought himself one and took it back to Barbados, where he was born, and at the time, residing. As he was teaching himself to play, someone heard him and invited him to join their band, the Soundtech Steel Orchestra.
Clarke lives in New York and has been playing private and public events for years. He plays often for the Barbados Tourism Authority, the Barbados Consulate and Barbados and Caribbean organizations. He has also opened events for Barbadian calypsonians in New York.
He will be joined by keyboardist Richard Henry.
Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall said,
Greene has been studying music for more than 50 years and has been playing professionally for over 35 years. His emphasis is in classical, jazz, rock, blues, R&B and tango, as well as the music of other continents and U.S. regions and solo performances. Greene studied at the University of Northern Iowa and at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Additionally, he has been teaching private students and classes for over 25 years.
“We are thrilled to continue our mini global mashup series this November with Adrian Clarke, Richard Henry and Hilliard Greene as they immerse listeners in Barbadian and African American musical traditions,” said Ellen Kodadek, the executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall. “Guests may learn something new from the experience, or feel right at home as their own culture is celebrated.”
Tickets for the show are $15 for general admission and $12 for members, seniors or students with ID. Tickets can be purchased from the Flushing Town Hall website.