A Conversation with Kimberly Nichole

In partnership with City Parks Foundation SummerStage

Celebrating the Centennial of Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Kimberly Nichole and the Legacy of Black Women of Architects of Rock n' Roll

March 20th was the 101st birthday of American singer, songwriter, guitarist and recording artist Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as "the godmother of rock 'n roll." A pioneer of 20th-century American music, Tharpe's unique mixture of sacred and secular styles, along with her instrumental (electric guitar), vocal, and rhythmic innovations, propelled her to become gospel music's first crossover artist and one of its first major recording stars. In celebration, on on March 21st (during Women's History month), faculty Matthew D. Morrison led a conversation with singer, songwriter Kimberly Nichole that explored the music of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "the original soul sister," as a vanguard of gospel and rock 'n roll in the U.S., as well as muse to Ms. Nichole, the Rock Ballerina.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KIMBERLY NICHOLE “THE ROCK BALLERINA" HERE.