American Patchwork Quartet will sew musical quilt of cultures during Nov. 17 performance in Madison
Posted: 11/04/22
The American Patchwork Quartet sews together echoes of traditional folk music dating back to Colonial America with the contemporary voices of its members’ ancestral roots to create a multicultural, folk music tapestry. The Quartet makes its Wisconsin debut on Nov. 17 at the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Play Circle Theater at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
Guests can purchase tickets to attend virtually or in person by phone at (608) 265-2787, online or in person at the Memorial Union Box Office. The Wisconsin Union Theater offers ticket discounts to Wisconsin Union members, guests under the age of 18, and University of Wisconsin–Madison students, staff and faculty.
Each in-person performance ticket includes a drink ticket to the brand-new, temporary Play Circle Pop-Up Bar from 6:30-7:45 p.m., which includes selections of alcohol and non-alcohol beverages.
The Quartet has said that it’s on a mission to reclaim the immigrant soul of American roots music. Leading in this mission are GRAMMY-winning vocalist and Indian- Falu Shah; GRAMMY-winning guitarist, vocalist and South Carolina-born Clay Ross; three-time GRAMMY-winning drummer and Detroit native Clarence Penn; and Jazz Life Album of the Year winner and Tokyo-born bassist Yasushi Nakamura. Joining the quartet for this performance will be composer, producer and violinist Harini “Rini” Raghavan, who blends Indian classical and folk music with electronica and rock.
In American Patchwork Quartet, these musicians bring together their many musical influences, education and experiences, aiming to shine a light on what they call the immigrant soul of American root music and to combat prejudice against race and immigration. Part of that effort, they say, means helping audience members acknowledge people’s commonalities and differences to strengthen America’s patchwork.
“The American Patchwork Quartet is exquisite in its musical interpretation and its blending of new and old folk music traditions,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “Each member is an extraordinary, talented musician in their own right, and the combination of their unique talents and styles makes for an innovative sound within the roots music genre.”
The Wisconsin Union Theater 2022-23 season also includes performances by Sō Percussion with Caroline Shaw on Nov. 5; Geneva Lewis with Evren Ozel on Jan. 27, 2023; PILOBOLUS Big Five-OH! on Feb. 1, 2023; Imani Winds on Feb. 5, 2023; Cécile McLorin Salvant on Feb. 7, 2023; Samara Joy on Feb. 16, 2023; Immanuel Wilkins on March 25, 2023; Anthony McGill with the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra on April 4, 2023; and the Danish String Quartet on April 18, 2023.
The Wisconsin Union’s Wisconsin Union Theater proudly co-presents its season with the UW–Madison student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee. Purchases to Wisconsin Union Theater performances support WUD student leadership opportunities and the Wisconsin Union’s vision to serve as the social heart of UW–Madison, where all belong.
Patrons can click here to learn more about the Nov. 17 American Patchwork Quartet event.