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After Hours: Songs of Protest

Posted on: April 28, 2021

Premieres Friday, June 11th at 5:00 p.m. PT

After Hours: Songs of Protest honors and celebrates incredible music that galvanizes social justice. This program of truly iconic songs—made famous by performers like Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, among many others—is specially curated by host (and our astounding Artist in Residence) Russell Thomas. Soprano Brandie Sutton, baritone Justin Austin, drummer Jonathan Barber, pianist Damien Sneed and bass player Michael Olatuja will deliver extraordinary performances of this distinctive program. 


Click "Read More" below for the full song list

Songs of Protest 

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free – By Billy Taylor & Dick Dallas / Arranged by Damien Sneed 
Justin Austin, Brandie Sutton 

Poor Wayfaring Stranger – Arranged by Roberto L. Burton 
Brandie Sutton 

I’m A Poor Li’l Orphan In This Worl’ - By Julia Perry  
Justin Austin 

Lord, How Come Me Here - Arranged by Brandie Sutton 
Brandie Sutton 

I Want Jesus To Walk With MeArranged by Justin Austin  
Justin Austin 

Come Sunday – By Duke Ellington / Arranged by Damien Sneed 
Brandie Sutton, piano, drums, bass 

Coalhouse’s Soliloquy from Ragtime – By Stephen Flaherty 
Justin Austin 

Four Women – By Nina Simone 
Brandie Sutton, drums, bass 

Lift Every Voice and Sing - By James Weldon Johnson & John Rosamund Johnson 

Oh, Freedom – Arranged by Damien Sneed 
Justin Austin 

Freedom – By Duke Ellington 
Brandie Sutton, drums, bass 

I Dream A World – By Damien Sneed 
Justin Austin 

Strange Fruit – By Abel Meeropol 
Brandie Sutton 

Battle Hymn of the Republic - By Julia Ward Howe / Arranged By Damien Sneed 
Justin Austin, drums, bass 

Hold OnArranged By Ramon Bryant Braxton   
Brandie Sutton 

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free – By Billy Taylor & Dick Dallas / Arranged by Damien Sneed 
Justin Austin, Brandie Sutton, drums, bass 

Listen to "Oh Freedom: Protest and Liberty Through Music"

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