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| U.S. Superstar Takes Over Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie Rhiannon Giddens is set to take the reins of the Elbphilharmonie for a whole five days: The singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist from North Carolina is curating a "Reflektor" Festival, to be held from 25 to 29 November 2026. Over the course of nine concerts, she brings together artists and musical traditions in constellations that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. Together with her long-time musical partner Francesco Turrisi, the Silkroad Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma and musical contemporaries and peers including kora player Seckou Keita, pianist Lara Downes and cellist Karen Ouzounian, she offers up fresh perspectives on the diverse roots and cultural connections of American music. Long celebrated in the U.S. as an exceptional artist, Giddens has collaborated with Beyoncé, composed film scores and won the Pulitzer Prize for her opera "Omar". Her music bridges folk and classical, past and present, Africa and America. In doing so, she brings to life influences and stories that have long been overlooked in American music history. The festival forms part of the Elbphilharmonie's "USA 250" series, which showcases diverse takes on the music of the United States during the renowned Hamburg concert hall's anniversary season. Rhiannon Giddens invites audiences to rediscover America's musical roots. The banjo, whose history stretches back to Africa, plays a particularly important role in her work, as she places the instrument's origins firmly in the spotlight. write your comments about the article :: © 2026 Jazz News :: home page |