Lilly Program
The Lilly Artist Series
2007-08
January 19, 2008...Scott Ainslie
Scott Ainslie is the rarest of performers - a man who can speak about the Blues with the same compelling passion and authority that drives his musical performances. On stage, Ainslie brings the African and American roots, history, & soul of the music alive with a mesmerizing mix of abandon, care and intimacy. Scott is the author of the bestselling book Robert Johnson/At the Crossroads, a Starlicks Master Session Series video, and he has released three popular CD's. Scott provides concerts, educational performances, college lectures, guitar and teacher workshops and student workshops.
Drawing on the musical legacies of Delta Blues legends Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, the East Coast's Blind Blake, and Durham's own Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller; Scott is a noted performer and scholar with more than a decade of experience teaching elements of African and African-American music to students of all ages, both in the classroom and from the stage. For this work, Ainslie has received numerous awards including St. Andrew's
Coming of age during the Civil Rights era, Scott continues to have a deep reverence and affection for cross-racial exchange and approaches the tradition with the care and respect it is due. Scott honors the African and American roots of the tradition and presents a mesmerizing tour of both the music and the history of the Blues.
October 13, 2007...Mediaeval Baebes
The Mediaeval Baebes have established a legendary reputation for themselves by reviving ancient text and song and turning historical fantasy into reality for the pleasure of a modern audience. Their first album, Salva Nos, released in 1997, was certified Silver within weeks of release and was Virgin Classics fastest selling debut album. The band's 1998 follow-up, Worldes Bylsse, blazed into the Classical charts at No. 1 to widespread, critical acclaim. July 2005 saw them return with a brand new studio album, Mirabilis, which is already considered to be their finest work to date. A provocative collection of beautiful maidens, the Baebes are comprised of seven young women vocalists, composers and instrumentalists - from all corners of the globe - who delight in their reputation for wantonness whilst singing songs from an age of innocence.
