African American spirituals

Whenever Francesca McNeely heard “Wade in the Water” as a young girl, she simply thought the African American spiritual was an upbeat song. It’s an easy mistake to make, she said.

African American spirituals were the soundtrack to Everett McCorvey’s upbringing in Montgomery, Alabama. Growing up in a family involved in the civil rights movement, he heard the soulful melodies often — in churches, in anthems and in choirs like the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

A trio of talented musicians with Boston and Berklee College of Music roots bring a reimagined arrangement of African American spirituals to the African Meeting House on Dec. 1. Danny Rivera, Gavin Rushing and Matt Savage created the concert “Songs of Free Men” to celebrate the rich history of Black music and to unite everyone still searching for freedom.