Freedom Riders & Resistance Revival Chorus

“When the movement is strong, the music is strong” - Harry Belafonte

In reverence to the courage and struggle of the original Freedom Rides — organized by Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1961 — the Freedom Riders band are a groundbreaking new international jazz collective sharing the history of previous civil rights struggles, and amplifying current messages of social justice through music. As a project of NYC Winter Jazzfest, the ensemble features a new generation of composers performing powerful standards and original music that continue in the tradition of providing a soundtrack to the global civil rights movement. Grounded by the weight of musicians and activists that came before us, Freedom Riders offer vital inspiration through music uniting audiences with the energy and spirit of shared humanity. The ensemble is led by music director Ben Williams on bass; and features Sarah Elizabeth Charles on vocals; with Joe Dyson on drums; Sasha Berliner on vibraphone; Alfredo Colon on alto saxophone; Marcus Strickland on tenor saxophone; and Milena Casado on trumpet, and Special Guest on piano.

The Resistance Revival Chorus (RRC) is a social-justice focused collective of more than 70 women and non-binary singers who join together to breathe joy and song into the resistance, to uplift and center the voices of women and non-binary people through music, and to address how historically marginalized those voices have been in the music industry. Chorus members are artists and activists based in New York City and represent a multitude of identities, professions, creative backgrounds, and causes.

Founded in 2017, the RRC released its debut album This Joy on Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records label in 2020. They perform original and traditional protest music on the streets at marches and rallies, and on major stages and festivals including at the Grammys, Carnegie Hall, The Apollo, Newport Folk Festival, and Outside Lands. Their live shows have been called “a powerful experience” by WXPN and “a full complement of sorrow, joy, defiance and hope,” by Magnet Magazine.

Tonight’s show is commitment towards the call for justice and equity for all people across racial, ethnic, economic, sexual identity and religious lines; to uphold the belief that art has the power to change hearts and minds; and a reminder of poet Toi Dericotte’s idea that “Joy is an act of resistance.”

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Venue Joe's Pub

Runtime 90-100 minutes