Songs of Hope in a Time of Healing

Spirituals by African slaves and their descendants are simple yet hauntingly beautiful melodies created out of unimaginable suffering. Though songs of sorrow, they convey a universal message of hope. They buoy up and encourage us as pilgrims to endure in the face of present realities and life’s extraordinary vicissitudes without succumbing to despair or defeat. –Carl Blake

We Offer This Concert in Solidarity with the Black Community and in Support of Justice, Freedom, and Peace.

“There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole; There’s power enough in heaven, To cure a sin-sick soul.”

Original Performance on January 16, 2018

A Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Arr. Calvin Taylor: This Little Light of Mine

R. Nathaniel Dett: Adagio cantabile

Arr. Calvin Taylor: I’ve Been in the Storm So Long

Arr. Calvin Taylor: Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Arr. Fred Block: A Balm in Gilead

Arr. Peter Wolf: Sinner Please Doan Let Dis Harves’ Pass

Arr. Calvin Taylor: His Name So Sweet

Arr. Calvin Taylor: Were Your There?

Arr. Calvin Taylor: City Called Heaven

Arr. Calvin Taylor: My Lord, What a Mornin’

Arr. Calvin Taylor: Jesus Take My Hand

Arr. Calvin Taylor: Ain’ a That Good New

Jacqueline Hairston: Great Day Ode

Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water

George Frederic Handel: “Sarabande” in B-flat Major, HWV 440

CARL BLAKE (piano) holds three degrees in piano performance: Bachelor of Music (magna cum laude) from Boston University, Master of Arts from San Jose State University, and Doctor of Musical Arts from Cornell University.

Dr. Blake has performed to critical acclaim three times in Weill Recital Hall (formerly, Carnegie Recital Hall), Wigmore Hall (London) and L’Hermitage (Winter Palace of the Czars, St. Petersburg, Russia).  In addition, he has toured in France, England, Central and South America, and the Caribbean Islands as Artistic Ambassador for the United States Department of State. Currently, he serves as Director of Music of The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco.

Mr. Blake serves on the Board of Directors for Noontime Concerts SF.