Rhythms of the Diaspora: A Night at Opalka Gallery
- Jordan Taylor Hill
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
On Friday night April 4th 2025, the room was vibrating—literally and spiritually.
From the first downbeat to the final breath, Rhythms of the Diaspora at Opalka Gallery wasn’t just a performance. It was a living, breathing connection between cultures, traditions, and people. We had over 80 RSVPs, and while the final turnout was closer to 40–50, the room was full of energy, community, and soul.
We turned the gallery into something sacred—alive with rhythm, movement, and intention.
The Intention
I created Rhythms of the Diaspora to honor the lineage I’ve been studying and embodying for years. From the djembe rhythms of Guinea, to the Rumba of Cuba, to the deep grooves of the Caribbean and beyond—these sounds aren’t just music. They’re messages. They carry spirit. They carry resistance. They carry joy.
For me, this work is about making tradition relevant and accessible without losing its essence. I want the audience to feel the heartbeat of these cultures, not just as observers but as participants. And on Friday, they did.
The Experience
We brought drums. We brought dance. We brought movement. We brought soul.
The set moved through West African rhythms like Makru and Soko, into Latin and Afrobeat textures, with moments of freestyle, poetry, and live improvisation woven throughout. Krista held down the bass like she was born into the groove. Sam brought soul and depth on the keys. Freddy locked in on congas with serious fire. Howard added texture and pulse on percussion, and John carried the weight of the dununs with precision and feel.
And the audience? They didn’t just sit back—they moved with us. They clapped, they swayed, they called back. Some even danced. That’s when you know it’s working.
We may not have filled every inch of the gallery, but the spirit in the room was undeniable. Intimate. Charged. Real.
The Gratitude
Big love to the whole team at Opalka Gallery for believing in the vision and giving us space to create freely. And to my collaborators—Krista, Sam, Freddy, Howard, and John—you brought the music to life. Everyone came in with heart, preparation, and presence. That’s what made it work.
This wasn’t just a performance. It was a shared moment between artists and audience, tradition and now.
The Bigger Picture
Rhythms of the Diaspora is part of a larger mission. I’m here to carry, share, and evolve the traditions of the African diaspora—not in a museum sense, but in a living, breathing way. These rhythms are tools for healing, expression, and connection. They’ve traveled continents and survived everything. My job is to keep them alive and put them in front of as many people as possible.
I’ve studied in Guinea, Cuba, Senegal, and beyond. I’ve worked with kids in schools, dancers in studios, elders in communities. I’m not here for one-off shows—I’m building a body of work that speaks to the past, the present, and the future.
What’s Next
If you want to bring something like this to your school, college, gallery, or organization—reach out. We’re currently booking for late spring and fall. I can tailor the experience to fit your space, your students, and your audience.
And if you just want to come catch the vibe in person… stay tuned. There’s more coming.
Thank you to everyone who made Friday night unforgettable.
Let’s keep building.
Let’s keep dancing.
Let’s keep drumming.
—
Jordan Taylor Hill
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