Silkroad unveiled a new concert series, “Train Station Trios: Songs & Stories of the American Railroad,” as part of its ongoing initiative led by Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens. This series features local experts and Silkroad artists sharing untold stories through music and storytelling, providing a more complete view of the beginning of the American Empire.
The premiere concert is set for February 11 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California. Future shows are planned for April and June in New York and North Carolina; dates and locations will be revealed later.
The American Railroad initiative, first unveiled in 2020, was created by Rhiannon Giddens, the Artistic Director of Silkroad, to shed light on the significant impact that African American, Indigenous, Chinese, Irish, and other immigrant communities had on the development of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and related railways in North America. Despite their fundamental role in this major 19th-century technological and economic achievement, their contributions have been largely forgotten. Giddens and Silkroad aim to bring this initiative to life through new musical compositions and performances, residencies, educational programs and activities, and various artistic projects taking place from 2021 to 2026.
“Train Station Trios” is one aspect of the American Railroad initiative, where members of the Grammy-winning Silkroad Ensemble will use music to reimagine the North American railways. Silkroad artists will form trios and join forces with local scholars to present a one-hour concert that presents new music inspired by the railroads’ history, songs collected from railroad workers and affected communities, and storytelling highlighting the cultural ties and history of each concert location. This unique musical content will be the foundation for future national tours under the American Railroad initiative.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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