Taj Mahal will lecture and perform at Vassar College, March 26

Blues legend and Grammy Award-winner Taj Mahal will lecture and perform on Tuesday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel at Vassar College. Mahal is a singer, songwriter, composer, and musicologist who has played a vital role in the preservation of traditional blues and African-American roots in music. His talk is titled "Roots of the Blues."
The event is sponsored by the Program in Africana Studies and the Office of the President of Vassar College. It is free and open to the public.
Mahal's passion for the blues began while he was attending the University of Massachusetts in the 1960s. Although he is primarily a blues musician, he has studied many other forms of black folk music, including west African music, Caribbean, zydeco, R&B, rock, and jazz. Mahal plays bass, piano, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, harmonica, and assorted flutes, and he combines his musical talent with his knowledge of different genres to produce a sound that is both unique and true to traditional black folk music.
Mahal made his recording debut in 1968 with a self-titled album (Columbia) and since then has produced more than 20 albums, including children's music. He has also composed movie soundtracks, television scores, and music for the Broadway production of "Mule Bone."
For more information, call the Program in Africana Studies at (845) 437-7490. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings at (845) 437-5370 as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Tuesday, March 26th, 2002.