Gospel, Soul, and Motown: The Transmutation of Rock with Dr. Gil Harel

Please join us for a Wilton Reads program centered on the musical environment of Natasha Trethewey‘s life growing up in the 1970s. There are numerous references in Memorial Drive to the music and musicians of that period including Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and iconic groups such as The Jackson Five.

Dr. Gil Harel will take us on a tour of several of the genres of popular music of that era. Harel will discuss important artists including Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, as well as iconic groups such as The Temptations, the Four Tops, and the Jackson Five, all of whom provided a bold, improvisational singing approach that is often cited as reflecting consciousness and pride in being black.

Gil Harel is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from the western classical repertoire to jazz.

Registration is required in order to receive the live stream-link.