The Origins Of North American Music with Sule Heitner

Date: Sat Nov 21, 2020, 1-3pm

Online: Zoom (exact link TBC)

Title: The Origins Of North American Music with Sule Heitner

Workshop Description: A look at the true origins of American music through the prism of one of it's quintessential instruments; the banjo. The banjo's past, obscured in much the same manner as the history of it's progenitors, can be traced to the Caribbean island of Martinique as early as 1678. By exploring it's African roots, and it's gradual cross pollination with more European traditions of instrument construction, we begin to see a pattern reflective of the music itself. We come to understand the forces that changed the banjo from it's very African roots to the modern instrument of today are parallel to the forces that created American music on the whole. Through a deeper understanding of the ingenuity and creativity that brought us to this point, we uncover a rich resource that can inform our present and future work.

Sule Heitner

Bio: Sule Heitner is an experienced artist known for his dedication to his craft. He has supported acts such as Sky, Corneille and Stephane Moraille (Bran Van 3000) to name a few. He’s also shared the stage opening for acts such as Celine Dion, Kool and the Gang, Sean Paul and Akon, and is heard on albums such as Lionel Richie’s “Coming Home”, Bet-E and Steph’s debut record, singer songwriter Katheryn Berry’s EP and the Café Méliès compilation series Vol 1. He reached the quarter finals on season three of “La Voix” (Quebec’s version of “The Voice”). His own songewriting touches on everything from Rock, Folk, Americana, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Reggae and the music of the Caribbean.