Timothy Berry and the Soul Drums Band Set to Perform April 8 at Wadena Memorial Auditorium
Timothy Berry and the Soul Drums Band will perform at the Wadena Memorial Auditorium on Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. The Soul Drums Band presents a musical journey that explores music and instruments based in West African and Caribbean traditions, including Afro-Cuban Jazz, Salsa, Mambo and more! The journey then continues on to include American Soul music. Band members include Kenny Britt-Vocals, Sarah Sharp-Saxophone/Flute, Charles Berry-Keyboards, Darrell Pridgen-Bass, Ben Lockett-Drums and Don Berry-Guitar.
Timothy Berry began singing in his father’s church at age 5 and has played hand drums since age 12. His eclectic performance venues include his group, Soul Drums; Leigh Morris Chorale; Marciano Silva Dos Santos; Minnesota State University Repertory Dance Theater; Robert Robinson Music; Traveled Ground; and a series of diverse Master Classes and school presentations that emphasize African American Music and History.
As a singer, actor, and percussionist he has performed in Black Nativity with Penumbra Theater, and La Boheme with the Minnesota Opera. He has also performed with Grammy Award winner, Larnelle Harris. He has recorded music on a variety of CDs, from gospel, folk, soul, and Caribbean including his Soul Drums series, which stems from West African, Caribbean and African American music traditions.Timothy has received several awards as a composer including: the Live Music for Dance award from the American Composers Forum, the Cultural Community Partnership grant, and winner in the Essentially Choral Competition for emerging American composers sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum. He has composed commissioned works for dance, choral, and church groups. A former college football player, Timothy is on the Vocal Essence Witness Artist Roster, and as a clinician he has conducted workshops for drumming, choral music, and presentations in schools and universities on issues surrounding race, black culture, and race relations.
Timothy Berry has a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from Mankato State University and a Master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in multicultural music from The University of Minnesota. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato. While in Wadena, Dr. Berry and his group will provide workshops with students at the Wadena Deer Creek Elementary School.
This concert is one of a series of free programs for Spring 2016 from the Wadena County Historical Society. For more information call 218 631-9079 or email 603wchs@arvig.net. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
