Songs Of Free Men

A Sacred Spirituals Project by Danny Rivera & Co-Collaborators Gavin Rushing and Matt Savage

From anonymous composers…

Rivera’s latest project Songs of Free Men delves into the sustained, centuries-long freedom songs that is Negro Spirituals. The work highlights the association of Black Americans which merged African cultural heritage with the experienes of being held in bondage in slavery, at first during the transatlantic slave trade and for centuries afterwards, through domestic slave trade. These songs were sung in churches, cotton fields, and as "signal songs” on the Underground Railroad.

‘Songs of Free Men’ — reimagined spirituals debut at African Meeting House

“There are certain stories that are rooted in faith but actually bring in collective entry points for any and everyone who is looking for liberation,” says Rivera. “What I hope is that through this music, people can find freedom inwardly, people can find opportunity and reason to connect regardless of age, gender, creed, belief or race.”