Deep River, My Home is Over Jordan

"Of the multitude of settings of this title, I have tried to bring to this one something musically fresh, unique, and historically and improvisationally correct. I have abandoned the often overly lush, commercial sounding harmonies. That aspect has been replaced by using H.T. Burleigh's unadorned adaption of the poignant, anonymous, original melody. It is used in a seamless, unfolding flow through the introduction, walking bass line, tropes, and codetta. It is the first setting with notes that fully explain the meaning of the words from the traditional text. A brief sketch of Black History is given, as well as a summary of why this work is singularly unique in the history of American music. It also is a heartfelt celebration of the African-American Spiritual, and the 150th anniversary of the 'Emancipation Proclamation'(1863–2013)." - James McCullough