On Saturday, February 15, Zipper Hall at the Colburn School will host “Resurrection,” the latest album and live recording from the acclaimed Adrian Dunn and his ensemble, the Adrian Dunn Singers. Presented by the Colburn School, this event marks the final chapter in Dunn’s trilogy exploring Black life in 21st-century America, following “Redemption” and “Emancipation.”
“Resurrection” is a powerful musical and cultural statement, honoring the invaluable contributions of Black luminaries such as Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Quincy Jones. Adrian redefines Black narratives, shifting the focus from struggle to joy, triumph, and renewal.
A celebrated composer, singer, conductor, and educator, Dunn’s career highlights include an Emmy Award for his PBS special “Emancipation,” a sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall, and composing the score for the Hulu/Disney+ documentary “Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story.”
‘“Resurrection’ is about the miracle of getting back up,” Dunn explains. “It’s about recognizing the beauty of life and embracing the opportunity for renewal each day.”
Adrian Dunn reimagines tradition by reshaping historical narratives to reflect contemporary experiences. “I believe that repurposing language, repurposing things that are old and making them new is really what I’m invested in,” he explains.
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The event will feature a world premiere of Dunn’s “Mass,” an innovative fusion of Latin liturgical texts with African American spirituals, alongside works from his opera “Zeek: A New Opera Suite,” jazz and hip-hop compositions, and reimagined spirituals.
Also performing will be the Adrian Dunn Singers—an all-Black professional vocal ensemble—as well as Dunn’s Rize Orchestra, a group he founded and owns.
Adding to the evening’s significance, students from the Colburn Concert Choir will join Dunn’s ensemble on select pieces, including “Mountain Top,” a powerful tribute to Jackie Robinson, and “I’ve Got Joy,” an original composition Dunn wrote specifically for his students.
Rather than focusing solely on the traditional slave narratives often associated with spirituals, he asks, “How do we evolve those? How do we evolve them to what we’re going through right now in this moment?” His work bridges past and present, offering dedications to modern figures and highlighting how the essence of these spirituals remains unchanged.
Live performance and audience engagement are at the heart of his artistic philosophy. “I’m a church boy. I grew up in the church,” he says. “One thing that I love about the gospel aesthetic that I think sometimes is missing from the classical aesthetic is participation.
For me, the singers feed off of that. I feed off of that. We feed off of that energy. It’s so critical for me that we have that opportunity, even on records, to display, who we are.”
At a time when Black voices and histories face erasure from education and public discourse, “Resurrection” boldly affirms Black cultural legacy.
Tickets for Colburn Presents: Adrian Dunn’s Resurrection are affordably priced between $10 and $20, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream option is available. Buy tickets at adriandunn.com
