Experience the Rich History of Mississippi Through Its Songs and Stories
Voices of Mississippi is a multimedia event that celebrates the music, art, and storytelling traditions of the people of Mississippi. Based on the 2019 double-Grammy Award-winning box set Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris, the program features live musical performances integrated with film, audio recordings, and rare photographs by folklorist William ‘Bill’ Ferris, who will serve as host for the evening. The show will feature musicians Bobby Rush, Sharde Thomas, and Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, all of whom have deep ties to Mississippi and artists Ferris documented.
Ferris traveled throughout Mississippi in the 1970s, recording the music of African Americans, whites, and Native Americans in the state. The recordings include blues, gospel, folk, and other styles of music, as well as interviews with the musicians and other cultural figures. The box set includes over 80 tracks on four CDs, as well as a book with photos and essays about the music and the people who made it.