Sound of History

Event Details

What does the Revolution sound like 250 years later? Two local musicians, Laurin Talese and Zeek Burse, use that question as a jumping off point for new work inspired by residencies at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Learn more about the project HERE.

JUNE 19:

6 p.m.-7 p.m.: "The Declarations Journey" Exhibit Self-Guided Walkthrough

7 p.m.-8 p.m.: Concert

8 p.m.-8:30p.m.: Artist Talk with Adrienne Whaley (Dir. of Education and Community Engagement MoAR), Zeek Burse & Laurin Talese

JUNE 25:

A second performance for Sound of History will occur on Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m., at Awbury Arboretum.

This will be an outdoor event, so it’s BYO chair, blanket and snacks. The event is rain or shine.

Project Description

What does it mean for musicians to be embedded at a history museum? How might art influence practice? How might history influence art? And what does the Revolution sound like 250 years later? As the Semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence approaches, the Museum of the American Revolution will explore these questions in partnership with ArtPhilly and Black Music City, a collaboration between WXPN, WRTI, and RECPhilly. Two artist fellows will be immersed in the Museum - exploring collections and exhibitions, attending meetings and public programs - and ultimately using the experience to create original musical works bridging the worlds between 1776 and 2026. These new compositions will premiere in June 2026 during Philadelphia’s inaugural What Now: 2026 citywide arts festival.

‍

Laurin Talese writes jazz compositions that hold still long enough to witness a life. She treats the voice as a documentary instrument, intimate, unhurried, concerned with the stories that change what we think we know about each other. Her theatrical debut as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Philadelphia Theatre Company, later reprised at Geva Theatre Center, drew critical acclaim. A Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner and US Arts Envoy in the lineage of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, Talese serves as Board Chair of Jazz Philadelphia and Board Governor of the Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Collaborators:

Mike King: Music Director/Pianist, Contributing Artist

Eric Wortham II: Pianist, Contributing Artist

Jordan McBride: Bassist

Nazir Ebo: Drummer

‍

Zeek Burse is a genre-defying artist crafting cinematic soundscapes where emotion, texture, and power collide. A singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, he merges R&B, electronic, and alternative influences into bold, immersive records designed to be felt as much as heard. Most recently, he contributed background vocals on Sam Smith’s single "To Be Free" and appears in the official music video. His global presence spans performances in Paris, Milan, London, and beyond.

Entire project produced, arranged, and performed by Zeek Burse