KEBBI WILLIAMS PERFORMANCE, INSPIRED BY HAMBIDGE RESIDENCY AND SUPPORTED BY NEA GRANT

A History of Music: A Play Without Words in Four Acts —performed by Grammy Award-winning composer and saxophonist Kebbi Williams September 19

Rabun Gap, Georgia— The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences is proud to announce an immersive new work, “A History of Music,” composed and directed by  Kebbi Williams who will perform alongside an acclaimed cast of musicians and movement artists. Set in the Hambidge landscape, and inspired by Williams’s 2022 residency at Hambidge, this multidisciplinary experience blends music, movement, and nature in a powerful exploration of the evolution of sound and instruments through time. Featured artists include Nicole Mitchell (flute), Simone Baron (accordion), and Chris Hunt (drums and electronic effects). 

A Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, Kebbi Williams is a force in modern jazz and experimental music. Known for his electrifying performances and genre-blurring compositions, he has collaborated with legends like Outkast, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Mos Def. His work is deeply rooted in community and innovation, making this upcoming project an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey.

The idea for “A History of Music” was born out of experimental work Williams pursued during his Hambidge residency as he worked alongside ceramic artist and Hambidge Deputy Director, Ife Williams, making handmade musical wind instruments. The performance’s final iteration incorporates these hand-made objects, creative costume elements, contemporary dance, and talented individuals for a truly collaborative work, reflective of the multidisciplinary Hambidge ethos.

The performance and accompanying residency is sponsored in part by the NEA, National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, including ticket prices, please visit https://www.hambidge.org/events/ahistoryofmusic. The matinee performance will take place from 2:00–4:00 PM, followed by a dessert reception for Patrons & Sponsors. A limited number of general admission and Patron tickets are available. The event takes place on Hambidge’s main campus in Rabun Gap, Georgia. 

Image credit: photo in graphic by Steve West