For Immediate Release
July 26, 2022

CLARK ART INSTITUTE PRESENTS CONCERT BY MUKANA

Williamstown, Massachusetts—On Wednesday, July 27 at 6 pm, the Clark Art Institute presents a concert by Mukana. Mukana (meaning “opportunity” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe) is a globally eclectic gathering of world-class musicians from Chile, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the United States. This free outdoor concert takes place near the Clark’s Reflecting Pool.

Mukana is a unique, world-class ensemble fusing traditional songs and rhythms with jazz mastery and sublime arrangements; the band creates music that compels you to your feet in a joyful celebration of our global community. Members include Zimbabwean singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tendai Muparutsa, Chilean singer/songwriter Natalia Bernal, Haitian singer Nadine Niles, American saxophonist/arranger Michael Zsoldos, American drummer Conor Meehan, and American guitarist and musical director Jason Ennis. Bassists Itaiguara Brandão and Gregg August join the band for their performances.

Guitarist and musical director Jason Ennis is an exciting voice in the world of jazz guitar. His unique sound, deep groove, and sensitive feel—along with a diverse background in jazz, blues, Brazilian music, and classical music—have launched him into high demand as a soloist, sideman, bandleader, and musical director.

Since the fall of 2015, Ennis has been a lecturer in music at Dartmouth College, where he teaches jazz, world, and popular guitar styles. Currently residing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he teaches guitar privately and at the Berkshire Music School; is a faculty member at Interplay Jazz in Woodstock, Vermont; and has given workshops at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Chile. He has been labeled “…especially striking” by All About Jazz and hailed as “a fantastic guitarist…check him out!”  by jazz vocal legend Sheila Jordan.

Free; no registration is required. Bring a picnic and your own seating. For more information, visit clarkart.edu/events.

ABOUT THE CLARK
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of more than 285,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.

The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Advance tickets are strongly recommended. Admission is $20; free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303. 

Use of facemasks is optional for all visitors. For details on health and safety protocols, visit clarkart.edu/health.

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