Laurie Russell is a talented musician and long-time journalist who became fascinated with the history of the African slave trade to the southern states of the United States.

The result of five years’ work and research is ‘Black Freedom’, a narrative concert lasting just under two hours charting the evolution of the unique Negro spiritual from the haunting songs to lift the spirits of brutally treated slaves to the music of early 20th Century composers like George Gershwin and Jerome Kern.

So the songs will range from ‘Deep River’ and ‘Steal Away’ to ‘Ol’ Man River’ and ‘Summertime’, 25 in all.

They will be sung by a chorale of more than 20 with four accomplished soloists and narrators.

“There will be something in the show for everyone,” Laurie said.

“The emphasis will be on the capture and incarceration of these people and how their music developed as the church fought against slavery.”

‘Black Freedom’ has already been successfully staged in Perth and some country centres as well as Canberra.

After the Northam concert, the show is due to go to Malaysia where it has been invited to perform at four cities.

The Northam show will be at St John’s Anglican Church, 11 Wellington Street at 2pm on Sunday, November 8.

Tickets are on sale at the church office at $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Inquiries can be made by phoning 9622 1016.