Группа Minos the Saint выступит в Кеннеди-центре в Вашингтоне

The Baton Rouge- and New Orleans-based ensemble Minos the Saint will perform Saturday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Starting at 5 p.m., the show will be streamed live from the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage via kennedy-center.org/digitalstage. Michael Paz, Minos the Saint’s agent in New Orleans, booked the band’s Kennedy Center show. The venue’s website describes the group as “homegrown from the musical melting pot of South Louisiana,” combining “a gumbo of accordion, cello and vibrant horn arrangements for a truly unique musical experience.” Performing at the Kennedy Center is an honor, said Peter Simon, the band’s singer, songwriter guitarist and keyboardist. Simon, a music teacher in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools, said the words that President John F. Kennedy said about the arts more than 60 years ago remain relevant. “I am moved by a speech President Kennedy made,” Simon said. “He said: ‘If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.'” Ben Herrington, Minos the Saint’s keyboardist, trombonist and arranger, likewise sees Minos the Saint’s Kennedy Center booking as a prestige gig. “It’s considered a living memorial to John F. Kennedy,” Herrington said. “It’s awe-inspiring to be one among the many artists and audiences that have brought it to life across the decades. Also, as someone constantly inspired by the present-day musicians of Louisiana and the musical heritage they represent, it’s exciting to serve a small role in bringing those inspirations to a wider audience.” For the Kennedy Center, Minos the Saint has prepared a special hour-long set featuring songs from the band’s three albums, including this year’s “Last Island Fire.” Core band members Simon, Herrington, drummer Chad Townsend and cellist Raudol Palacios will be joined on the Millennium Stage by a three-piece horn section featuring French horn player Arisia Gilmore, tenor saxophonist Taylor Assad and trumpeter Jena Vangjel. Minos’ Kennedy Center stop is part of a three-date tour that also includes Charlottesville, Virginia, and Atlanta.