Making music is not merely a pastime but a priesthood. Join Dr. Bill Banfield as he journeys through the development of American musical culture, highlighting creative artists such as Rosetta Tharpe, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and Kurt Cobain, all committed to art and social engagement. Banfield will show how popular music artistry is a critically important and needed interpretation of the human condition, defining, informing and therefore shaping our culture. His acclaimed band, Bill Banfield’s The Jazz Urbane, will join Bill to play music both during and after the lecture.
Dr. William (Bill) C. Banfield is Professor and Director of the Africana Studies program at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches jazz, American popular, and world music studies. An award winning composer, jazz guitarist /recording artist, public radio show host, he has authored five books for Scarecrow Press on music, arts, cultural criticism and history.
