York U's Burton Auditorium a "Happenin' Place" in February - Faculty of Fine Arts Presenting Concerts by Nexus and Nathaniel Dett Chorale

TORONTO, January 17, 2000 -- York University's Burton Auditorium will be throbbing with the music of percussionist group NEXUS, special guest artist Trichy Sankaran on Tuesday, February 1 followed by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale and the Joe Sealy Quartet on Wednesday, February 23. York's Faculty of Fine Arts is presenting this duo of musical concerts.

The Faculty of Fine Arts is showcasing a series of cultural events in the 1999/2000 season. Dean Phillip Silver explains, "We're presenting an exciting mix of events featuring both 'outside' professional groups and our student actors, dancers, musicians, filmmakers and artists. This is, in some ways, a return to a tradition from York's early days, the Performing Arts Series in Burton Auditorium."

Last fall the Faculty of Fine Arts presented one sold-out performance of Winnipeg-based English Suitcase Company's production of Hamlet. "We're happy to be able to provide these kinds of events for the community. It makes York and Fine Arts a "happenin' place, " says Dean Silver.

NEXUS, dubbed " the high priests of the percussion world", performs a unique repertoire that includes contemporary percussion masterworks, rag and world music plus free improvisations. So who better complements this group than special guest artist, York professor Trichy Sankaran, world-renowned master drummer specializing in the South Indian mrdangam.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale and the Joe Sealy Quartet are presenting a program called Drummondville to Africville. Founded in 1998, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, is Canada's first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, founder and artistic director, is an internationally respected conductor, clinician and adjudicator. This concert is part of York University's celebration of Black History Month.

The Chorale takes its name and inspiration from the Canadian-born musical genius, composer, R. Nathaniel Dett, born in Drummondville (what now is Niagara Falls) in 1882. Africville refers to the Joe Sealy Juno-winning CD Africville Suite which is dedicated to Canada's oldest Black community founded in Nova Scotia at the time of the Underground Railway.

There are close ties between York University and several of the musicians involved with these two concerts. Nathaniel Dett Chorale performers Dylan Bell, Tim Lillington, Gillian McMillan and Subashini (Suba) Sankaran are York graduates. Joe Sealy Quartet members Phil Dwyer and York alumnus Mike Murley are instructors in the jazz program and Nexus member Robin Engelman has taught percussion at York's music department.

Nexus and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale performances are at Burton Auditorium, York University, 4700 Keele St. Showtime 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10/$5 are available by phone: (416) 736-5172 ext. 3 or at the box office, located in the Lobby of the Centre for Film and Theatre.

Box Office hours for NEXUS concert: Weekdays Jan. 17 to 31, 11am to 3 pm.
Box Office Hours for Nathaniel Dett Chorale: Feb 7 to 11, 21 & 22, 11 am to 3 pm.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Carol Bishop
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20421
email: cbishop@yorku.ca