GRIOT
STRING
QUARTET
DR. AMYR JOYNER
Edward Sanford
Dr. EDWARD W. HARDY
Ryan Murphy
WE TELL THE STORY
“The performance exuded love and presence and solidarity” - KC Studio
“A joyful rendition of the Allegro from Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s String Quartet No. 1.” - Cleveland Classical
“Each piece felt equally meaningful as the last, both musically and contextually — making for a memorable start to Black History Month.” - Cleveland Classical
WHAT IS A GRIOT?
"A 'griot' is a West African storyteller whose mediums range from poetry and history to genealogy and music," and The Griot String Quartet focuses on "preserving and transmitting cultural and historical narratives within an American context." - Dr. Edward W. Hardy
The Griot String Quartet, comprised of professional Black classical musicians including Drs. Edward W. Hardy and Amyr Joyner, Messiah Ahmed, Miles Goosby, Justus Ross, Johnny Walker, Jr., Boubacar Diallo, Edward Sanford, and Ryan Murphy, aims to inspire a new perspective challenging assumptions about what classical music looks like. Touring across the United States, recent highlights include performances at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Washington Performing Arts and CAAPA, Harriman-Jewell Series, Tuesday Musical Association, and Sunflower Performing Arts. They have graced esteemed venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center, Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, Folly Theater, Wellin Hall, EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and Caramoor. Additionally, they delivered a special performance lecture at the historic Howard University alongside Damien Sneed and Jacqueline Echols. The Griot String Quartet has shared the stage with renowned opera singers, including Echols, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Amanda Bottoms, Raven McMillon, Janinah Burnett, Brandie Inez Sutton, and Justin Austin. Founded by Damien Sneed and LeChateau Entertainment in 2022, this quartet embodies a commitment to reshaping perceptions and representation in classical music.
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