Current News

Word-Beat Celebrates Black History Month in Virginia's Tidewater Region - Public Invited

Come and hear music combined with spoken words of prominent African Americans in Norfolk, VA.

Word-Beat performs Feb 18 for a school program, and a public concert at Holy Trinity Church, 1:45PM - read more and welcome all.

Words of Langston Hughes reach Virginia's Eastern Shore

Word-Beat just returned from a short tour to the VA Eastern shore where we performed a school concert of Langston Hughes poetry with Tom’s original percussion music. Afterward -- an evening concert at the historic  Makemie Presbyterian Church. This was part of the ACES concert series and was made possible by a grant from the VA Commission for the Arts.

Upcoming: Sacred Music Festival in Olympia Washington; Family concerts in Mineral and Norfolk VA; and a return to Bahrain

We are honored to be a part of the World Sacred Music Festival in Olympia, WA on March 7 http://olysacredmusic.org/.

Later in March we will present four concerts in Mineral, VA of Langston Hughes poetry and writings -- with music. Tom's African-American and jazz-inspired rhythms dance with Hughes's poetry to move you with music and words.

On April 18, come to the new Ella Fitzgerald Theatre in Norfolk, VA for a family concert all ages will enjoy.

We're looking forward to future plans in April including a return to the Middle East, to Bahrain and possibly Saudi Arabia. We will keep you updated as we work out more details.

For more details on where to find Word-Beat in your area, see the Itinerary

H. Allen Williams, Jazzreview

"... delivering ancient wisdom on top of infectious grooves and elevating melodies; a celebration of the human spirit in both song and verse ... The thought provoking subject matter and the world class drumming keep The Soul Dances alive and moving ... all the emotion and inspiration for many journey filled listens".

Srajan Ebaen, sixmoons.com

"The Soul Dances is meant to be danced to and played back loud. Biblical fervor, African juju chants and Tibetan shamans battling demons mix it up with driving grooves, euphonium, didgeridoo, trombone and tenor sax".

Dave Miele, Jazz Improv

"there is a clear message behind this music, and it comes equally from the multitude of percussion instruments Teasley wields and the significance and meaning behind Williams' words. This CD is thought provoking and entertaining."

Scott Allan Stevens, Earball Media

"The sparse arrangements of percussion, voice and horns hit you gut-level, a combination of danceable modern rhythms with roots in ancient chants. Highly recommended."

Carmel DeSoto, Jazz Police

"... the disc is highly digestible by almost anyone with a pulse and ears ... infectious grooves. Teasley's drumming is world class, with a pulse and momentum that is subtle ... something for everyone here ... Excellent!

Geannine Reid, Ejazz news

"The stellar musicianship and the warm baritone voice of Williams combined with Teasley's percussive prowess makes this latest Word-Beat offering a must have for any collection."

Word-Beat will start the fall season with a performance on Sept. 30 for "Celebrate Virginia" day at the historic Alden Theater in McLean, VA. They also begin touring for the Virginia Commission on the Arts in September with concerts in Alberta and Dkye, VA. In October, they return to Washington, DC to do a benefit for Save the Children at Busboys & Poets. This is a benefit for older adoptive children. 

Word-Beat will again be Artists-in-Residence at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. They will be presenting a series of concerts in 2007 geared towards younger concertgoers.