The American Spiritual Ensemble led by Everett McCorvey

The American Spiritual Ensemble led by Everett McCorvey

Before the blues, jazz, gospel and rock 'n' roll, America honed an original form of music. Slaves created this musical expression, with African roots and a biblical text, for deliverance and secret communication. The Spirituals traces the painful history of this American art form and its contemporary significance with the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group led by Lexingtonian Everett McCorvey. The program airs Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 10/9 p.m. CT and Sunday, Feb. 25 at 10:30/9:30 p.m. CT on KET2 and Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET1.

The Spirituals includes the birth and development of the spiritual among African American slaves and takes viewers behind the scenes and on the road with the American Spiritual Ensemble as it enchanted audiences on a tour of the deep South.

"It has been a joy to work with the amazing talent in this group as we toured and recorded this film. The mission of the group is to keep the American negro spiritual alive," said McCorvey, who is also a professor of voice at the University of Kentucky and the director of the UK Opera Theatre. "We have had some incredible experiences on this tour as we have crossed the United States. I am honored to be a part of this fascinating film."

This film is supported by the KET Fund for Independent Production (KFIP). KFIP has been awarding grants to Kentucky-based film and video makers since 1990. More information about KFIP can be found at www.ket.org/kentucky/fund.htm.

The Spirituals is produced by Everett McCorvey.