American Patchwork Quartet at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center

American Patchwork Quartet (APQ), led by multi-GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross, binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. APQ’s sound is a masterful confluence of tradition and innovation, transcending culture, politics, and ideology. Their debut was recently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards.

A southern-born roots music aficionado, Ross is also the founder of the world-renowned Gullah group Ranky Tanky. In APQ, Ross intertwines with other Grammy-winning artists: Harini Raghavan, a Carnatic vocalist and violinist, Yasushi Nakamura, an internationally acclaimed Issei jazz bassist, and Clarence Penn, a renowned jazz drummer whose fibers were honed by African American church traditions.

APQ resonates as a potent symbol of unity in diversity. It stands as a testament to the notion that, from a collage of varied backgrounds, a coherent and beautiful whole can be fashioned. Mirroring America’s cultural mosaic, APQ stitches together a story that’s both intricate and resilient. The fabric of their music is genuine—it neither feigns tolerance nor presents an overly-embellished image of unity.

Instead, each carefully chosen piece dives deep into America’s patchwork soul and shares the joys, sorrows, and unwavering hope of a nation crafted by shared dreams and diverse histories. Far from being a haphazard collection of musical scraps, APQ is a deliberately designed homage to America’s past and a showcase of its dynamic present. It beckons listeners to meditate upon our shared identity and relish in the musical threads that bind us. Just as an intricately designed quilt becomes a cherished family heirloom, when the distinct patterns of APQ’s music align in perfect harmony, the result is both a blanket of warmth and a timeless treasure.

UMSL Students/Faculty/Staff are eligible for FREE tickets. Call 314-516-4949 or email ticket@umsl.edu for more information.

Artists:  American Patchwork Quartet, Clay Ross, Clarence Penn, Harini Raghavan, Yasushi Nakamura

Time:  20:00-22:00