When Folksongs Bring Freedom

This performance brings to light the significance and beauty of the remarkable songs associated with the Underground Railroad with words and music; a network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century enslaved people of African descent in their efforts to escape to free states and to Canada. These uniquely American heritage songs are recognized as a distinct musical genre. The music that will be featured is based on the coded Negro spirituals that runaway slaves used to elude capture.

Hilliard Greene has been acclaimed for composing and performing solo contrabass music since 1984. His solo bass tours have taken him throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Formerly musical director for jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott, and he is the leader of The Jazz Expressions and member of the Zigzag Quartet.