American Patchwork Quartet at The Cabaret Indianapolis

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2. American Patchwork Quartet

Folklorist Allan Lomax said, “America has a patchwork culture made up of the dreams and songs of all its people.” For generations, these songs have absorbed influences from America’s ever-evolving melting pot.

That’s what American Patchwork Quartet (APQ) draws from, and they’ve made it their mission to reclaim the immigrant soul of American Roots Music. Made up of Grammy-nominated vocalist Falu Shah, Grammy-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross (founder of the Billboard chart-topping band Ranky Tanky), 3x Grammy-winner and one of the world’s most sought-after drummers, Clarence Penn, and highly acclaimed bassist Kanoa Mendenhall, APQ showcases the dynamic diversity of contemporary culture by reimagining timeless songs from America’s past.

APQ draws on a repertoire of centuries-old American folk songs that highlight America’s immigrant roots. They showcase America’s dynamic present by combining the diverse talents of four U.S. citizens, each with a unique cultural background. In this group, old songs are made new through creative arrangements that highlight the exceptional and well-honed skills of each member.

APQ performances strive to counter pervasive prejudices around the issues of race and immigration. To help strengthen our country’s social fabric, APQ desires that its audiences reflect on the notion that as Americans we must acknowledge our differences to discover our commonalities. We must recognize the realities of racism and prejudice in order to build authentic and lasting bonds across cultures and color lines. While we are not responsible for our country’s past, we are accountable for its future.