In the Spotlight with Eric Townell: Gullah-Geechee Music & Language
In this episode, Eric welcomes professional countertenor and storyteller Zabriel Rivers, whose work celebrates and preserves the rich traditions of Gullah-Geechee music, spirituality, language, and culture. Born and raised on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Zabriel performs across the country, sharing the spirituals, stories, and history of the Gullah-Geechee people, descendants of West Africans brought to the Sea Islands for their expertise in rice cultivation. Zabriel performs a sample of a traditional Gullah spiritual and shares how he blends storytelling with classical repertoire in his recitals, such as A Gullah Evening with Zabriel. If you enjoy learning about African American history, folk traditions, classical voice, and cultural preservation, this interview is a must-watch.
Zabriel performed A Gullah Evening with Zabriel as part of ROS’s Arts Connexions recital series in 2025 and has also performed as a soloist with Resonanz in the Freedom Song program.
About the Show: “In the Spotlight” presents insights and highlights from New York’s arts leaders. Hosted by Eric Townell, “In the Spotlight” brings a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, imagination, vision, and skillful administration within an arts organization.
