Sweet Honey in the Rock Records Album with Jazz Trio

02/18/13

Female a cappella group has never recorded live with a band before

By Jeff Tamarkin

Sweet Honey in the Rock, the female a cappella group now nearing the anniversary of its fourth decade together, will release a new two-CD set, A Tribute—Live! Jazz at Lincoln Center (Appleseed Records, Feb. 26). The group, which draws from blues, African, jazz, gospel and R&B, has never recorded live with a band before. The live album is Sweet Honey’s first new release in five years and 23rd overall. Their previous Appleseed release, Experience . . . 101 (2007), was their fourth children’s album and was a Grammy nominee.

Sweet Honey in the Rock

The musicians accompanying the group on the album (nicknamed “the Honey Men”) are Stacey Wade (musical director/piano/keyboards), Parker McAllister (upright acoustic and electric bass) and Jovol Bell (drums, percussion).

The group’s 2013 itinerary includes numerous dates in major US cities, including several special “Tribute” shows:

2/28/13 Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA
3/1/13 McCarter Theater, Princeton, NJ
3/2/13 New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ
3/5/13 B.B. King’s, New York City
3/7/13 Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C.

The tour dates through the end of May will mark the final appearances of Dr. Ysaye Barnwell, a 34-year member of the group, who is departing to pursue her own career endeavors. (See Appleseed Music for all tour dates.)