Convergence Artists
Regina Carter, violinist
NEA Jazz Master and Grammy-nominated artist Regina Carter explores the power of music through the voice of the violin in a wide range of genres, including jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop, and African. A recipient of the MacArthur “genius” award and a Doris Duke Artist Award, as well as a two-time Pulitzer Prize jurist, she has been widely hailed for her mastery of her instrument and her drive to expand its possibilities.
In 2018 Regina was named artistic director of the New Jersey Performing Arts All-Female Jazz Residency, a unique summer immersion program for aspiring women jazz professionals. She is currently on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music and has been artist in residence at the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, resident artist for San Francisco Performances, and resident artistic director for SFJAZZ.
Marc Bamuthi Joseph, poet & speaker
Marc Bamuthi Joseph is a 2017 TED Global Fellow, an inaugural recipient of the Guggenheim Social Practice initiative, and an honoree of the United States Artists Rockefeller Fellowship. He is also the winner of the 2011 Herb Alpert Award in Theatre, and an inaugural recipient of the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award. In pursuit of affirmations of Black life in the public realm, he co-founded the Life is Living Festival for Youth Speaks, and created the installation “Black Joy in the Hour of Chaos” for Creative Time.
Joseph’s opera libretto, We Shall Not Be Moved, was named one of 2017’s “Best Classical Music Performances” by The New York Times. His evening length work, /peh-LO-tah/, successfully toured across North America for three years, including at BAM’s Harvey Theater as a part of the 2017 Next Wave Festival. His piece, “The Just and the Blind” investigates the crisis of over-sentencing in the prison industrial complex, and premiered at a sold out performance at Carnegie Hall in March 2019.
Adia Tamar Whitaker, dancer
Artistic Director of the Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective, Adia Tamar Whitaker, has performed contemporary vernacular movement, modern and Afro-Haitian dance in the U.S. and abroad for 16 years. Adia completed a BA in Dance at San Francisco State University (2000), the Professional Division U.S. Independent Studies Program at The Ailey School (2001), was Choreoquest Resident Artist @ Restoration Dance Theater (2004), a Ford Foundation Special Initiative for Africa Grant Recipient (2004), an Urban Bush Women Apprentice (2005) and a Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography @ FSU Creative Entry Point Choreographic Fellow (2006).
She is a former Artist-In-Residence of the counterPULSE Performing Diaspora (2009/2010), a recipient of the Theater Bay Area CA$H Grant and the Zellerbach Family Foundation Grant (2009). In 2011, Whitaker along with her other cast members received an Isadora Duncan Award for her performance in a choreopoem she wrote, directed, choreographed and costumed called “Ampey!” Adia was a co-choreographer and touring cast member of “Scourge”, a choreopoem written by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, featuring choreography by Rennie Harris and Stacey Printz. “Scourge” toured in the U.S. and abroad for two years. She has been teaching Afro-Haitian Dance Workshops throughout the U.S. and abroad for the past ten years.
Jordan Taylor Hill, artist
Jordan is a Long Island born songwriter and percussionist with a flair for performing original and traditional pieces. His travels and studying Guinean and Senegalese music produce a unique style of folk rhythms and contemporary sounds.
Jordan has several teachers but credits mainly the work of ‘Les Ballets Africains’ veteran principal dancer Moustapha Bangoura in Guinea Conakry, Lamine Thiam, Idy Faye, Mr. Gohi, Washington Park Rumberos, and his families upbringing in church.
Eddie’s nominated in 2022 for the ‘World Music Artist of The Year’, Jordan has performed at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Sage College, City of Albany, and throughout the Capital Region.
Jordan was a recipient of NYSCA’s 2022 Individual Artist Grant and has done music and movement workshops with Union College, New York Folklore, and as an Artist-in-Residence at Albany Barn.
Carol Daggs, artist
Carol Daggs is an Artist, Educator and Author whose roots are in upstate Saratoga Springs, New York. Daggs recently published her family history Saratoga Soul Brandtville Blues, which received the 2021 Saratoga Reads Community Reads Choice Award. This refreshing collection of stories with historic photos captures and conveys her African American family history and life in the Brandtville section of Saratoga Springs for over 125 years.
Brandtville was recently granted a blue and yellow historic marker sign from The William G. Pomeroy Foundation. As a dual pianist and vocalist, Carol's Artist name is Jazzage: the artful application of musical Jazz sounds to the auditory apparatus and soul via vocal and instrumental flow! Carol has enjoyed workshop and/or performance opportunities during Jazz in July at The University of Massachusetts Amherst with Dr. Billy Taylor, Geri Allen and John Blake. As Associate Artist-in-Residence with Sam Rivers, Carol enjoyed a month-long residency with Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Carol has also studied and performed with Regina Carter and Donald 'Big Chief Harrison. In addition to being a member of ASCAP, Jazzage has performed her own original song material at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater, as well as locally and regionally at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, The Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Public Library, Saratoga's Spa Little Theater, Caffe Lena and Skidmore College.
Barbara Howard, artist
Barbara N. Howard was born and raised in Albany, New York. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Brockport and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. These achievements helped lead her to become an elementary school teacher, gospel recording artist, actor, and storyteller.
TAÍNA ASILI, ARTIST
Taína Asili is a New York-based Puerto Rican singer, filmmaker and activist carrying on the tradition of her ancestors, fusing past and present struggles into one soulful and defiant voice. Her music combines powerful vocals carrying themes of hope and liberation with an energetic fusion of Afro-Latin, reggae and rock. Asili’s music offers a sound that spans continents, exuding strength of Spirit, inspiring audiences at venues across the globe – From Carnegie Hall to the Women’s March on Washington to the main stage of San Francisco Pride. With an energetic horn section and infectious rhythms, Asili’s music urges people to get on their feet and dance to the rhythm of rebellion.
D. Colin, artist
D Colin is a multidisciplinary artist of Haitian descent. Her work has appeared in Trolley, Ink & Nebula, Jaded Ibis Press and Porter Gulch Review. She is the author of Dreaming in Kreyol and Said the Swing to the Hoop. She has been featured on PBS, Write About Now, NPR and has performed throughout the United States and internationally. Beyond poetry, D. Colin has navigated the stage as an actor performing in productions with Black Theater Troupe of Upstate NY and Creative Action Unlimited. Her one woman show Simone appeared at Capital Rep Theater and she has spent years performing reenactments most often as Sojourner Truth. As an emerging artist, she has shown art at the Underground Railroad Education Center, Albany Center Gallery and the Arts Center of the Capital Region.
