Juneteenth Concert With John Hughes

The Mount will hold a Juneteenth Concert with internationally renowned composer, kora player, percussionist and vocalist John Hughes.

Hughes ranges from classical West African harp music to jazzy, hypnotic grooves crossing cultural boundaries. Playing ancient traditional instruments not often heard in the United States, many of which he builds himself, John takes his audience on an intimate musical tour of universal expressions of joy and hope that soothe and up-lift the spirit.

Whether playing from the classical repertoire of the Jelis, Griots — storytellers of West Africa — or original compositions, he plays with a detailed and bold rhythm cascading with syncopations. Also a sculptor, dancer, instrument maker and teacher, he has studied the music song and dance of West Africa for more than 28 years, training with many master drummers and dancers from Guinea and Mali, including Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate.

As a Kora player, he is totally self-taught and has developed a style all his own. Having intently studied traditional kora music for 10 years before he touched the instrument, his playing is deeply rooted in the ancient Mande tradition.

He holds a B.F.A. from the Tyler School of Art of Temple University and the West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, England and an M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.