News

Larry Long brings his popular American Roots Revue series back to the Dakota Jazz Club on March 7th. A legendary Minneapolis rocker (now by way of New Orleans) and a well known New York actor, writer and international blues recording artist will join the latest incarnation of the American Roots Revue for two shows at the Dakota. Soul Asylum leader Dave Pirner and Guy Davis (son of the late Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis) will team-up with the Pavarotti of Gospel Robert Robinson and Troubadour and Community Builder Larry Long, with special guest Waubanewquay Day who will open with an Anishinabe Ojibwe honor song.

The revamped lineup is equaled only by the strong supporting musicians: Drummer Michael Bland (Prince, Soul Asylum, Paul Westerberg); Guitarist Cory Wong (Bryan White, Alexander O’Neal, Foreign Motion); Pedal Steel player Joe Savage (Hank Thompson, Dan Wilson, Wanda Jackson, David Frizzell, John Gorka); Bass Player Jimmy Anton (Jonny Lang, Jesse Johnson, Doc Severinsen).

American Roots Revue works from the core of America’s richest musical traditions of First Nation, gospel, blues, folk, rock and R&B. Now in its seventh iteration, the Revue has reinvented itself with its most musically diverse line up ever. The special night will feature solo performances by each new member doing their own songs, as well as exciting combinations of singers never seen or heard before onstage.

Tickets are $40.00 for the 7:00 p.m. show and $35.00 for the 9:30 p.m. performance and can be ordered online or at the door at the Dakota http://www.dakotacooks.com/ 1010 Nicollet Avenue • Minneapolis, MN 55403 • 612-332-1010 .

Sonnesyn Elementary School will host an Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration honoring three community elders in their gym on Thursday, February 5, 2015, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.   Featuring  4^th grade students with Larry Long, plus ‘the first lady of song’ Debbie Duncan and ‘pianist’ Sam Reeves.  Address: 3421 Boone Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55427.  This year’s theme is ‘Honoring Men of Color’ and we are happy to shine a light on their life achievements.

 Elder Wisdom, Children’s Song™ is brought to you by Community Celebration of Place (501-C-3) in partnership with Robbinsdale Area Schools and the West Metro Education Program (WMEP).

Larry Long, Smithsonian Folkways Recording Artist and creator of Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song, has been working with 4^th grade classes of Sarah Rodriguez, Jacqueline Ballot and Deb Petersen to collectively write songs that honor the life stories of the following community elders:

• Michael Favor: Born in Athens, Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Graduated with a degree in Sociology, Social Work, and Coaching.  Received his Masters Degree from Hamline University.  Doctoral Degree is progress.  Assistant Superintendent of the Robbinsdale School District.
• Beni Persaud: Born in Guyana, South America. Worked as a child on the sugar plantations with his mother following his father’s death when he was seven years of age. After serving in the British Army he moved to Minnesota. Attended Dunwoody Institute. Married and has three daughters and one son. Retired from the railroad.
• Samuel Wagner Cooke: Born in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa. Graduated with a Secondary Education Degree. Served as Research Director and Secretary General for the National Teachers Association. Elected to the West African Examinations Council, which develops policies for the five English speaking member-countries in West Africa; Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Nigeria. Moved to Minnesota in 1998, where he received a Masters degree. Presently works for the Robbinsdale School District.

Sonnesyn’s Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration on February 5, 2015 will feature 4^th grade students with Larry Long, plus ‘the first lady of song’ Debbie Duncan and ‘stellar pianist’ Sam Reeves.

Community Empowerment is the topic to end the year. It the holiday show on Urban Perspectives 12/28/14. I talk with the Chief Financial Officer of American Public Media:Morris Goodwin Jr, Dr. Margret Lovejoy Founder of the Family Place Shelter, Larry Long Director/Founder of Community Celebration of Place and we spotlight Shay Glorius Martin: “The Lab” Youth Mentor.

Watch live or DVR Urban Perspectives Sunday 5;30am on WCCO-TV. 

Larry will be taking a three-month break from American Roots Revue and solo performances to focus on his work in education through Community Celebration of Place.

Over the past twenty-five years, Larry in partnership with Community Celebration of Place has honored nearly 1,000 community elders from across the United States and the world in spoken word, song, and art through this program. Alan Lomax, one of the great American field collectors of folk music of the 20th century, once called Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song, the “missing link.” That link continues to get stronger with every year. 

Learn More

“Who will carry on this story when I’m gone?” – Slava Bryn, Elder

In school year 2013-2014, Larry Long initiated the creation and publishing of twelve story-song books through Community Celebration of Place in partnership with the West Metro Education Program and Minneapolis Public Schools. These books, written and illustrated by youth, honor the cultural diversity of our region through the inspirational life stories of community elders. The books are integrated into the yearly curriculum of area schools and made available FREE online at communitycelebration.org.

Learn More

Larry is presently working with students from Sonnesyn Elementary School in New Hope, Minnesota to honor the life stories of Beni Persaud, Samuel Wagner Cooke, and Michael Favor in narrative and song through a program called, Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song.   The lyrics to their songs will be illustrated by students and published, as part of the Men of Color Series through Community Celebration of Place.  (www.communitycelebration.org)

About the honored elders:

Samuel Wagner Cooke:  Born in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa.  Graduated with a Secondary Education Degree.  Principal of Public High School.   Fled during the Civil War and settled in Minnesota, where he received a Master Degree and works in the Robbinsdale School District.

Michael Favor:  Born in Athens, Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement.  Family moved to Minneapolis when he was a child.  Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.   Graduated with a degree in Sociology, Social Work, and Coaching. Principal at Minneapolis North and Cooper High Schools.  Presently, Assistant Superintendent of the Robbinsdale School District.

Beni Persaud:  Born in Guyana, South America.  Worked as a child on the sugar plantations with his mother following his father’s death when he was seven. After joining the British Army he moved to Minnesota.   Married and raised their four children in north Minneapolis.

TWIN CITIES — SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 — American Roots Revue works from the core of America’s richest musical traditions of First Nation, gospel, blues, folk, rock and R&B. Fresh off of a 2014 five-city ‘Legacy’ summer tour in Minnesota, American Roots Revue continues to reinvent itself with a new line-up of powerful vocal artists that spans generations and genres.

Joining its ranks for a special November 1, 2014 concert at the Dakota at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., are three high-profile Twin Cities singers, including red hot folk-rock singer-songwriter Chastity Brown, longtime Jazz stalwart and chanteuse, Prudence Johnson and formidable Gospel singer, Robert Robinson. The ensemble will be backed by the vocal group, Joyful Noize (Adara Thomas, Amanda Snyder, Rachael Okerlund, Rachel Svanoe.)

Led by renowned troubadour and community builder Larry Long, the Revue’s revamped lineup of world-class singers is equaled only by the strong supporting musicians such as: Drummer Michael Bland (Prince, Soul Asylum, Paul Westerberg, et al); Guitarist Cory Wong (Bryan White, Alexander O’Neal, Foreign Motion, others); Pedal Steel player Joe Savage (Hank Thompson, Dan Wilson, Wanda Jackson, David Frizzell, John Gorka, and many others); Bass Player Jimmy Anton (Jonny Lang, Jesse Johnson, Doc Severson, others).

American Roots Revue first featured these dynamic artists together during the celebration of what would have been Pete Seeger’s 95th birthday last spring in a sold-out concert at the Fitzgerald Theater called “For Pete’s Sake.”

Chastity Brown — who will perform songs from her upcoming album – is breaking out nationally and just returned from a one-month tour of Europe.   Add these veteran and remarkable singers like Prudence Johnson, Larry Long, and Robert Robinson together with Chastity and you have an evening to measure time from.

“…. a must-see event….…abundant talent”  – Star Tribune

Tickets are $30.00. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicolet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis and at www.dakotacooks.com, 612-332-5299. American Roots Revue’s previous five shows there have all sold out!

For more information about American Roots Revue — or to interview the group — please contact Martin Keller, Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com

Tickets are still available for the September show at the Dakota. Don’t miss this chance to see American Roots Revue back together again for an end-of-summer celebration. And as if you didn’t have enough reasons, Robert Robinson is back!

Featuring Larry Long, JD Steele, Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes, Waubanewquay Day & Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott with Cory Wong (guitar), Yohannes Tona (bass), Brian Ziemniak (Keyboards), Marc Anderson (Percussion), Petar Janjic (drums)

Fresh off of a 2014 five-city ‘Legacy’ summer tour, American Roots Revue celebrates in story and song the many nations of people who call this country home. The American Roots Revue works from the core of America’s richest musical traditions of gospel, folk, blues, R&B and First Nation traditions of the Anishinabe Ojibwe people. Backed by some of the finest Twin Cities musician’s making music across the world today.

In a satisfying two-hour performance that’s good for body and soul, this roots ensemble is led by Smithsonian/Folkways Recording artist, Larry Long, an American singer-songwriter who has made his life work the celebration of everyday heroes whom author, historian, actor, and broadcaster Studs Terkel called “a true American Troubadour.” Joining Long is national recording artist and producer, J. D. Steele, who heralds from the dynamic vocal family of siblings, The Steeles, a group that has garnered every major music award and accolade the state has had to offer. J.D. and the family began touring the international hit show “Gospel at Colonus” with Morgan Freeman around the world before finally landing on Broadway in 1988 for a successful nine-month run.

Rising powerhouse singer Tonia Hughes has deep roots in the African-American church but has also become a sought-after back-up singer on other genres and is a star in her own right. She’s served as a lead vocalist with the Grammy- and Stellar Award-nominated Excelsior Chorale Ensemble and has sung with a host of gospel and secular artists, including rock bands and pop performers. Keeper and Singer of the Song ‘Waubanewquay’ Dorene Day, the inspired Native Life Ways Singer/Practitioner, plays many roles in her rich artistic life. She sang as “Spirit Woman” in the play “Song Catcher” written by Marcie Rendon, performed in the WPT series, Wisconsin Stories-Ojibwe Music and sang for the Disney mini-series “Dream Keeper.” She also sings with her eldest Son’s Drum Group, ”Midnite Express” and is on several recordings. Dorene also won the 2010 Female singing competition in Mille Lacs Lake for the Minnesota Round Dance.

The American Roots Revue is a must-see event.

cost:  $30   Tickets: www.dakotacooks.com  or   BOX OFFICE 612-332-5299

About Robert Robinson

“I’m sure there are a lot of people like me who wish they had the ability to embrace every hurting person in the world and assure them that their lives will get better.  I can share that embrace and assurance in my songs.” – Robert Robinson

Robert Robinson is reason to believe that the greatest music reaches every name and crosses every boundary, from audiences in the Pontiac Silverdome to troops in South Korea. Standing five foot five and sipping Diet Coke, Robert is “God’s canary.”  He possesses the ability to sing any song and yet remain true to his vision.

KFAI will present “For Pete’s Sake”, a celebration of the life and work of musician and activist Pete Seeger, as a holiday-brightening opener on Labor Day morning from 6 to 8 am. Seeger was a lifelong supporter of organized labor and union causes.
When Pete died early this year, his friend Larry Long promised to celebrate what would have been Pete’s 95th birthday with a cast of local musicians who had keenly felt Seeger’s influence. On May 3rd, that group gathered at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

The event celebrated the many phases of Seeger’s life and activism with an abundance of music from across the cultural spectrum.

Start your holiday morning with a long list of local notables: Robert Robinson, Prudence Johnson, John Gorka, Estaire Godinez, Chastity Brown, Larry Long, Joyful Noize, Peter Ostroushko, Waubanewquay Day, Ann Reed, Dan Chouinard, Tonia Hughes, Cyril Paul, Kevin Fuhrman, Brian Barnes, Brittany Delaney, Mitch Walking Elk, Courtney Yasmineh, Aimee Bryant, Patty Kakac, Barb Tilsen, Pop Wagner, Tony Glover, Charlie Maguire, Marc Anderson, Joe Savage, Cameron Wright, Lorna Her Many Horses, and Timothy Frantzich.

Featured narrators: Dale Connelly (News Director, KFAI, Fresh Air Community Radio), Anthony Galloway (Student Learning Programs Specialist, West Metro Education Program), Randy Furst & Chris Serres (Minnesota Newspaper Guild), Rod Volker (Vietnam Veteran, Marine Corp, Bring a Vet Home), Alejandra Tobar (Actress), Kim Ellison (Minneapolis Public School Board), Louis Alemayehu (Poet), Jacqueline Long (Attorney, Community Activist), Sharon Sayles Belton (Former Mayor of Minneapolis), Alanna Galloway (Communication Workers of America AFL-CIO), Dr. Josie Johnson (Civil Rights & Social Justice Elder), Ann Bancroft (Polar Explorer, Founder of Ann Bancroft Foundation), Reverend Dr. Will Healy (Park Avenue Methodist Church), Rhiana Yazzie (Playwright, Artistic Director of New Native Theatre), Jacob Reitan (LGBT Activist, Founder of Soulforce Equality Ride), Scarlett Lopez Cruz & Hector Lopez Cruz (Actors and Youth Activists), William Bunton (Freedom School Scholar)

Live Stream:   http://kfai.org/news/2014/08/43767

Community Celebration of Place (501 C-3), through a Minnesota State Art’s Board ‘Legacy Tour Grant’, sponsored American Roots Revue, which features several of Minnesota’s most gifted performers and arts educators, to perform in five outstate Minnesota communities in partnership with homeless shelters, incarceration facilities; community and veterans organizations. Each event FREE and open to the public.

American Roots Revue features: Larry Long (Smithsonian Folkways Recording artist who has made his life work the celebration of everyday heroes.), JD Steele (Mr. Steele and his dynamic vocal siblings, “The Steeles”, have garnered nearly every major music award and accolade that Minnesota has to offer), Billy Peterson (Bass player, songwriter, composer, session musician, producer, and oldest musical son of the renowned Peterson family), Tonia Hughes (Tonia’s vocal style is colored with melodic acrobats and elements of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Worship), Cory Wong (Cory Wong may be young, but he has already proven himself to be a standout guitarist/musician in the Twin Cities), Marc Anderson (World percussionist, ethnomusicologist, teacher, composer, grandfather, and bandleader), and Waubanewquay-Dorene Day (Traditional Midewiwin Anishinabe Ojibwe Head Woman Singer.)

American Roots Revue has now performed at festivals in three of the five host communities, including: Duluth, Cass Lake, and St. Cloud in partnership with Hands Across the World; Cass Lake Chamber of Commerce; Leech Lake Boys & Girls Club; and Peace United Church of Christ and Churches United in Ministry (CHUM).

Each American Roots Revue concert features a song collectively written by members of each host community at a two-hour songwriting session facilitated by Larry Long.

For example: In Duluth Larry wrote music with incarcerated women in the St. Louis County Jail. The American Roots Revue performance of their song was filmed at the Rhubarb Festival (In memory of Steve O’Neil) in Duluth and later shown to the incarcerated women, who helped compose it.

Here’s the opening verse to their song, It’s Another Day:

I dream of a future sober and bright
Progressively moving towards the light
Free of shackles and jails, addiction and crime
The rattling keys which measures time
Of another day
Leech Lake Girls & Boys Club, Collective Songwriting, Cass Lake, Minnesota

The final two American Roots Revue ‘Legacy’ performances will be held: August 15^th, Crookston, Minnesota, in partnership with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and theCrookston Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau; August 22^nd, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in partnership with The Refuge (regional homeless shelter)

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

American Roots Revue will be performing this Thursday & Friday, August 14^th & 15^th,  in Crookston, Minnesota, as part of Ox Cart Days to honor our Veterans, in partnership with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and the Crookston Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau.  Free & Open to the public!

The 4^th Annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at UMC Kiehle Auditorium.  We will be honoring three Veterans this year and will also be doing a special WWII presentation. We have the privilege of having the American Roots Revue performing their song “Welcome Home” at the ceremony. They have also agreed to sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the program.

Service Flag Line at Entrance – Civil Air Patrol

3:00 p.m.              Doors Open at Kiehle Auditorium

3:15 p.m.              Color Guard by B-Co 2/136 CAB

Service Flags by Civil Air Patrol

National Anthem – American Roots Revue

Pledge of Allegiance

3:30 p.m.              Welcome by Master of Ceremonies – Police Chief Paul Biermaier

3:35 p.m.              David Chaffee – Introduction and Presentation of Plaque by Paul Biermaier

3:40 p.m.              Jim C. Sheridan – Introduction and Presentation of Plaque by Leo Luettejohann

3:45 p.m.              Robert “Bob” Young – Introduction and Presentation of Plaque by Rich Simmons

3:50 p.m.              WWII Plague Presentation by Bill Cassavant, Chairman BYR to Chuck Whiting

Polk County Administrator

3:55 p.m.              “Welcome Home” song by American Roots Revue

4:00 p.m.              Retirement of Colors – B-Co 2/136 CAB

4:05 p.m.              Downtown Square for the Flag Retirement Ceremony presented by the Boy Scouts

4:15 p.m.              American Roots Revue – “Veterans Honor” song and “Crookston” song

Flag Retirement Ceremony by the Boy Scouts

5:00 p.m.              American Roots Revue Concert in the Town Square

After the Veterans Recognition Ceremony, everyone is invited to the DownTown Square to participate in the Flag Retirement Ceremony.  This ceremony shows the dignity and respect that is given to properly dispose of the flag that has flown with honor but is no longer suitable for display.  The American Roots Revue will be performing their special song being written for Crookston and will be performing their concert after the Flag Retirement Ceremony in the Town Square.

“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.”

American Roots Revue will be performing for Hands Across the World in St. Cloud, Minnesota on July 31st, Thursday, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Wilson Park, 625 Riverside Avenue NE, St. Cloud, MN. Free and open to the public! Rain or shine!

American Roots Revue features Larry Long, JD Steeele, Tonia Hughes and Waubanewquay Dorene Day with Billy Peterson (upright bass), March Marc Anderson (percussion), Brian Ziemniak (keyboards), Cory J Wong(guitar), and special guest: Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott.

Hands Across the World is the first contact for the refugee & immigrant families of Central Minnesota

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

http://www.handsacrosstheworldmn.org/index.html

Larry Long sang on the front porch of the Old London House with Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon (Woody Guthrie’s Sister) – sharing memories at the Okfuskee Historical Society in Woody’s hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma! Performing with is Fiddlin’ Peter Peter J Watercott and Neil Gelvin, as part of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (Official) and Woody Guthrie Center annual celebration on Woody Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie‘s birthday.

“American Roots Revue” has now performed in two of the five out state Minnesota communities this summer. 

Each concert features a song collectively written by members of the host community at a two-hour ‘World Café’ model workshop with Larry Long.

In Cass Lake, Minnesota, the host organization was the Leech Lake Boys & Girls Club. Attached is the photograph of the young people I worked with. That evening we brought them all up on stage to sing the song they wrote for their community at the annual Summer Fest in downtown Cass Lake, Minnesota!

Gii Zah G’iin
(I Love You)

Jessica, Jenni, Alayna
James, Lia, Davie
Plus Marla, Gabi, Sue
Lindsey and Larry
These are the people who
Wrote down this song
At the ‘Girls & Boys Club’
We promise it won’t take long

Oh-ah-oh-ah
Oh-ah-ah-ah-ah

Gii Zah G’iin, Gii Zah G’iin
I love you!

Indian Tacos with frybread
Sure does taste good
In Cass Lake where we live
In our neighborhood
The Big Drum, Circle of Life
Heartbeat of Giimaamaa Aki
At the Pow Wow at Summerfest
Where we play and sing

Gii Zah G’iin, Gii Zah G’iin
I love you!

We are all related, family and friends
If that is so, let us go
Celebrate ‘til the end
Begins a new, me and you
A new life has begun
Beneath the sun and the moon
And the stars above

Oh-ah-oh-ah
Oh-ah-ah-ah-ah

Gii Zah G’iin, Gii Zah G’iin
I love you!

Words and music by Larry Long
With Youth at the Boys & Girl Club
Cass Lake, Minnesota

© Larry Long Publishing 2014 / BMI

These series of performances is being organized by Community Celebration of Place (501-C3) through an Arts Tour Minnesota grant made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.