Winter in America is an homage that highlights Gil Scott-Heron’s and Brian Jackson’s inspirational music, poetry, and original spoken word. The show engages today’s audience with Scott-Heron’s and Jackson’s signature themes: the African-American experience and unity in the struggle for justice everywhere. Featuring some of the best artists in the Pacific Northwest, we aim to bring new life to this under-appreciated, yet vital music.
The first performances of this project took place in March 2022 with two sold out performances that left audiences with an indelible sense of joy and community. Audiences, performers, and venue staff all asked: When are we going to do this again?
The name Gil Scott-Heron is synonymous with his best-known piece, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” And while “The Revolution...” quickly became a pop culture catchphrase, the musical and political influence of Scott-Heron’s work, which spanned decades, receives too little notice. As a poet and spoken word artist, or “bluesology” performer, as he called himself, Scott-Heron has been credited with helping to invent rap. Much of Scott-Heron’s music was co-written with his key musical co-conspirator, the pianist, flutist, and composer Brian Jackson. Their collaboration bore the songs that would define both of their musical careers.
Camilo Estrada
Bass, arrangements, musical director
Ayesha “Musicbox” Brooks
Vocals
Darrius Willrich
Keyboards, vocals
Benjamin Hunter
Vocals
Freddy Fuego
Trombone, flute
Shakiah
Poetry, spoken word
Ricardo Guity
Percussion
Chris Littlefield
Trumpet, flugelhorn
Brian Kirk
Drumset
Daniel Rapport
Guitar
Moe Betta
Rap, vocals