Since its inception in Washington D.C. in 1973, Sweet Honey In The Rock has
thrived as a performance ensemble founded on the missions of empowerment,
education and entertainment. The current ensemble features vocalists Carol Maillard
and Louise Robinson -- both original members of the group, along with Nitanju Bolade
Casel, Aisha Kahlil and Rochelle Rice; Romeir Mendez, bass, and Barbara Hunt,
American Sign Language interpreter.
The Grammy nominated act celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2023 and look
to set the course for the future of the group by announcing their upcoming tour for 2024
& 2025: Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond. Having been recently signed to the
prestigious Kurland Agency, a booking agency known for their high profile clients such
as Wynton Marsalis, Take 6, and Sonny Rollins, Sweet Honey has announced over 30
new tour dates starting in October 2024 in the UK and will conclude with a performance
in Toronto, Canada in April 2025.
Although there is certainly cause for celebration, 2024 also saw the passing of
Bernice Johnson Reagon, one of the four founding members of Sweet Honey in the
Rock. Bernice served as a prolific composer and the ensemble’s artistic director for 30 years from the band’s inception until 2004. As an outspoken member of the Student
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, her commitment to social justice and equality are
infused in the music, spirit, and ideology of Sweet Honey in the Rock. As they move
forward and look toward the future, Sweet Honey in the Rock do so in remembrance of
their beloved mentor and with a commitment to honor her life and legacy. “When we
started the group back in 1973, we were excited to share the musical styles and that
Bernice was teaching and our vocal workshopts at the DC Black Repertory Theater.
We had no idea that we would be able to continue for 50 years. We are grateful to all
the women who made it possible for there to be a band named Sweet Honey In The
Rock in the world. Now more than ever, the music and messages are moving into our
being able to celebrate 50 years and beyond,” states Carol Maillard, one of the founding
members of the band. Sweet Honey In The Rock is a renewed commitment to lifting up
those in need, enlightening and inspiring audiences of all ages to take a stand against
injustice.
As a band with a rich history of international performances, Sweet Honey in the
Rock is thrilled to once again spread their message to an overseas audience. For the
first time since 2013, the ensemble will be performing twice in the United Kingdom.
Kicking off the 50 and Beyond tour, they will perform at Llais, Cardiff’s International Arts
Festival, on October 12th at the Wales Millennium Centre and will appear at the
Barbican in London October 13th.
Sweet Honey In The Rock will also perform 3 special dates in late October and
early November with legendary singer-songwriter Rickee Lee Jones in Evanston IL,
Nashville TN and Buffalo NY.
Fittingly, the band has booked six dates commemorating their annual “Holy
Days” concert performances later this year with four performances slated at Blues Alley
in Washington, DC on December 14th and 15 th , a performance in Northridge, CA on the
19th; and wrap up the year with an appearance in Wickenburg, AZ on December 20th.
@sweethoneyrocks73 | sweethoneyintherock.org
