The debut recording of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale features the most enduring songs of inspiration, hymns, and arrangements of spirituals by the choir’s namesake, Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale.

Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, Ontario in 1882 and died in October, 1943. Nathaniel Dett was dedicated to the cause of Black music, winning the Bowdoin and Frances Boott prizes in 1920 from Harvard University for his paper, The Emancipation of Negro Music and for his motet, Don’t Be Weary Traveller.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’s first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues. The Chorale is comprised of classically trained, multi-faceted vocalists whose work stretches beyond the traditional expectations of a classical chamber choir, and seeks to challenge us to broaden our vision to include all styles and genres of music as appropriate to the traditions of the African Diaspora.

1. Don’t Be Weary, Traveler

2. I’ll Never Turn Back No More

3. Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler

4. Hew ‘Round the Tree

5. Baptism

6. Listen To The Lambs

7. Weeping Mary

8. O Holy Lord

9. The Chariot Jubilee

10. On That Sabbath Morn

11. Dust, Dust And Ashes

12. Ave Maria

13. Go Not Far From Me, O God