Musician of the week Rhiannon Giddens

Facts about Rhiannon Giddens

• Born in North Carolina in 1977

• She is a classically trained Opera singer from Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio

• She plays the fretless banjo and fiddle

• She formed a group called the Carolina Chocolate Drops

• She has earned numerous awards including two Grammys

• She is versatile – folk , jazz, bluegrass, country

• She creates new versions of old African American tunes What inspires me about Rhiannon Giddens

• She sings and plays a variety of musical genres – jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk • She pushes the agenda of bringing forgotten music to the forefront • She collaborates with many different artists • She writes her own music Favorite song

• Up Above My Head • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=W6bndO8sgI0 • I love this song because it so upbeat. The instruments of the band provide great energy to compliment Rhiannon’s fantastic vocals Youtube links

• Build Your House with Yo Yo Ma

• https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=gYDo0ZjXegM&list=RDEmPf1CJaF5s&index=5

• Black is the Color

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pg2lt8PmTA Youtube links

• Brigg’s Corn Shuckin’ Jig by the Carolina Chocolate Drops • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_sy5guI_ojc&list=RDEmPf1CJaF5s&index= 4 What others are saying about Rhiannon Giddens

• “Giddens' influence, though, is not contained by her many accolades but, more profoundly, by her drive to unearth the stories of forgotten people so that her audience may remember them.” Importance to Music

• Rhiannon Giddens is an important figure in the music scene because she uses her music to tell powerful stories of African American people. • She is a role model to young musicians who aspire to make a difference in the world through their music!