Name: Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute To Langston Hughes
Brand: Leyla McCalla

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SFW40241LP

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-10-16

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

093074024119

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

SFW40241

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093074024126

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Leyla McCalla

Genre GB

Folk

Label GB

Smithsonian Folkways

Leyla McCalla is an American classical/folk singer, songwriter, cellist, banjoist and guitarist. Born on October 3, 1985 in New York City, she currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a diverse musical background and influences ranging from classical to folk, Leyla's unique sound captivates audiences worldwide.
Her music showcases her exceptional talent as a multi-instrumentalist and her soulful vocals resonate with emotion. Drawing inspiration from her Haitian heritage and the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans, Leyla's songs are both introspective and socially conscious.
Having collaborated with renowned artists such as Amythyst Kiah and Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla has established herself as a prominent figure in the contemporary folk scene. Her music resonates with fans of artists like Adia Victoria, Kaia Kater, and Valerie June. Experience the captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics of *Leyla McCalla* today.

In 1987, following the death of Moses Asch, the Smithsonian Institution acquired from his estate the rights, papers, and masters for Folkways Records. This was done with the Smithsonian's promise to keep all of the 2168 Folkways titles in print, which they continue to do to this day under the *Smithsonian Folkways* banner.

Under their ownership, *Smithsonian Folkways* has become a renowned label in the music industry. With a commitment to preserving and promoting traditional folk music from around the world, they have curated an extensive collection of albums that showcase diverse cultural expressions.

As one of the leading authorities on folk music, *Smithsonian Folkways* offers a wide range of genres including blues, country, gospel, jazz, and world music. Their catalog features legendary artists such as Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie as well as lesser-known but equally talented performers who have made significant contributions to their respective musical traditions.

Leyla McCalla's 'Vari-Colored Songs' is a celebration of the complexity of Black culture and identity, and a tribute to the legacy of poet and thinker Langston Hughes. A songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, McCalla sets Hughes' poems to her own spare yet profound compositions. She juxtaposes these with arrangements of folk songs from Haiti, the first independent Black nation and the homeland of her parents, tapping into the nuances of Black experience. McCalla's music elegantly weaves Haitian influences together with American folk music, just as Hughes incorporated Black vernacular into his remarkable poetry, and the way the Haitian Kreyòl is a beacon for the survival of African identity through the brutal legacy of colonialism. This is music of reclamation, imbued with a quiet power that grapples with the immense weight of history.

Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute To Langston Hughes

Music GB