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Watch and Listen: Baritone Keith Spencer, Songs About The African-American Experience LIVE from WRTI

Continuing WRTI 90.1’s tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the dynamic baritone Keith Spencer joined us on in 2019 for a program that explored the rich musical legacy of the African-American experience, with host Debra Lew Harder.

Here, Keith is joined by jazz pianist and opera composer Peter Hilliard, and violinist and composer Claudia Pellegrini.

Watch the entire performance recorded LIVE on WRTI's Facebook page.

In the studio with WRTI Host Debra Lew Harder

Keith performs selections from his 2019 shows, We Shall Not Be Moved, focusing on music that captures the essence of the Civil Rights Movement, and Brothers on Broadway, a concert celebrating the artistry of Broadway’s African-American leading men.

A singer who has toured nationally in productions of Music of the Night, Ragtime, Show Boat, Pippin, Guys and Dolls, and Carousel, Keith has also sung concert stage backing vocals for Roberta Flack and Rosemary Clooney. He is a favorite performer at many Philadelphia-area professional venues such as Bristol Riverside Theatre, Act II Playhouse, the Prince Music Theatre, and Hedgerow Theater.

Prepare to be moved during this live recorded performance in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African-American experience, with baritone Keith Spencer, pianist Peter Hilliard, and violinist Claudia Pellegrini.

Program:

"No More Auction Block For Me"

"Wade in de Water"/Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"

"Ol' Man River"

In 2019, Keith performed his show Brothers on Broadway at the Zlock Performing Arts Center in Newtown, PA on February 1, his show We Shall Not Be Moved at the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA on February 3, and The Paul Robeson Songbook at Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown, NJ on Februay 24.

Debra's last day on the air at WRTI was September 21st, 2021. She's now the radio host for The Metropolitan Opera. Read more here.