This program took place on January 21, 2012. For a current list of programs, please click here.

World-renowned jazz pianist and Rosenbach Musician-in-Residence Dave Burrell presents Civilians During Wartime, the second chapter in his five-part Civil War research project. The new compositions in this concert give voice to the thoughts and feelings of the mothers, brothers, civilian spies, and runaway slaves all living in the war though far from the battle field. The tone of these compositions reflects the anxieties and fears of a population living in an unforeseeable future.

Mr. Burrell dug deep into the Rosenbach’s archive to find inspiration for these bold new compositions. Click here to view some of the documents which inspired Dave Burrell’s composition visit.

This year’s performance includes 6 pieces:

1. Have You Seen My Son
2. Mama, I’m Still Hungry
3. Three Way Tie
4. Code Name: Cheap Shot
5. Legends of Auction Block Runaways
6. One Nation

About the Composer

Dave Burrell is a distinguished composer-pianist of singular stature on the contemporary international music scene. His active performance schedule includes jazz festivals in America and Europe, including the Le Mans Jazz Festival. Over the last thirty years, Burrell has performed on over 115 recordings, 30 under his own name. He has lectured at dozens of conservatories and universities, including the Strasbourg Conservatory, Tremblay Conservatory (Paris), Conservatoire Municipal (Paris), Guildhall School of Music and Dance (London), New York University, Columbia University, and many others. He has received numerous awards, including the John Garcia Gensel Award and the Pew Fellowship in Jazz Composition. He holds degrees from the University of Hawaii and the Berklee College of Music.

This commisssion was made possible by a grant from the Helen Keeler Burke Charitable Foundation.