September 2017


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


The Hampton Roads Messenger 3


Quartet Narissa Bond and Company Perform for Hampton History Museum Music Series


Hampton, VA-


Singer Narissa Bond, known for her deeply moving songs craſted from life and family experiences, will perform with fellow musicians as Narissa Bond and Company for the Hampton History monthly


Museum's music


series on Wednesday, September 20, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.


Noted for


her warm soprano voice, Bond will preview new music from her upcoming CD, "False Gods." She will be joined by bassist David Mills, percussionist Charlton


Phaneuf,


and Gwen Frederick on guitar, ukulele and vocals.


Narissa Bond and Company Bond's mother


urged her to tell family stories. She took that to heart, saying "When I write, those voices come to me." And it's a clear voice, like the one in "Road to Berea," about her great-grandfather James, born into slavery, who walked 75 miles to Berea, Kentucky, where he attended college as a free man. His


mother gave him a cow to pay for the tuition.


Other stories flow through her


songs, some that are personal, and others with lyrics so deep, they feel like family tales.


You can hear Bond's idols in her music, from Joni Mitchell's


finely craſted songs, and from Tracy Chapman, a sharp rhythmic and melodic sense.


But Bond is her own woman.


She studied classical music, and jazz guitar, and there are elements of that in her work, as well as a nod to the blues and a strong connection to


contemporary folk. She had a passionate fan base


early on. Her first album was recorded in the 1990s, partly with studio time won in a song contest, and then finished with studio hours donated by fans and friends. Her albums are filled to the brim with her poignant songs, from "Celia," the true story of a slave who was executed aſter killing her master, to "Wishbone," an upliſting song about the power of dreams told through the story of her mother's father -- a beekeeper, carpenter, and farmer:


You can put your dreams upon the shelf


Hold them close to your heart and tell nobody else


Or break the wishbones you've been saving


And let your dreams fly free Tere's a delicately fingerpicked


ukulele in "Beyond the End of Time," a touching song written for her niece, and a bluesy guitar in the life-affirming "Te River." "With Tese Two Hands" features her


rich voice against a


cascade of guitar arpeggios, gentle yet strong, she tells us "With these two hands we can save the world."


Admission is free to museum


members, $5.00 for non-members. Beer and wine will be available for purchase from La Bodega Hampton. Te event is held in the museum's Great Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.


Te Hampton History Museum


is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton. Tere is free parking in the garage across the street from the museum. For more information, call 757-/727-1102.


Inspiration from Impact to Ha mpt o n, Vir ginia


Other universities simply teach history. Hampton University puts you in the middle of it. Because, as you’ll soon discover, you’re not just a part of Hampton University — Hampton University is a part of you. An aggressive attitude toward progressive education is at our heart. Comprised of over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, HU can help you reach your goals.


Application fee waived in August and September! Hamptonu.edu/apply


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