On Saturday, February 15th, 2025, Classical California and Colburn celebrated Black History Month through a magnificent concert featuring Adrian Dunn's Resurrection and The Adrian Dunn Singers and a preconcert talk with host, Brisa Siegel.
Resurrection is a powerful testament to the enduring contributions of Black thought leaders such as Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Quincy Jones—visionaries who remind us that Black Americans have always embodied the spirit of resurrection. This album reflects the timeless truth that Black people have consistently created beauty from adversity, rising again and again.
At its core, Resurrection celebrates the resilience of the universal human capacity to rise. It is a call to remember that each day brings the opportunity for renewal; every morning we wake, we triumph over the closeness of night, of death, and are given the chance to begin anew. The album resounds with the wisdom of our ancestors, reminding us that we carry everything we need within ourselves. We are who we have been waiting for. Resurrection is not far—it is present, and it is never too late to rise, dream, and pursue our most audacious hopes.
Resurrection is the final installment in Dunn’s acclaimed trilogy exploring Black life in 21st-century America, following Redemption and Emancipation. The evening featured:
The world premiere of Adrian Dunn’s Mass
Zeek and 42 Project tribute to Jackie Robinson
Dunn’s spirituals, Jazz, and hip-hop favorites in a celebratory finale
Renowned for his prolific creativity, Adrian Dunn has received national praise for his work. Recent highlights include his Carnegie Hall debut in June 2024, his PBS special with the Milwaukee Symphony, and the success of his Hulu/Disney+ film Sacred Soil. Dunn is a MacArthur Grant recipient for his original composition Hopera, a hip-hop opera. He has sung with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Grant Park Symphony Chorus, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, and has been chorus master for Chicago Opera Theater and is a frequent soloist on Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and Puccini’s Massa de Gloria.
Resurrection is a moving musical journey reminding us that even when hope feels distant, the human spirit has the power to rise, stand for justice, and embrace life’s miracles.
