Prudence Brings Celestial Gifts to the Mercury

17 Jun Prudence Brings Celestial Gifts to the Mercury

By Tracy Shaffer

Sunday afternoons at the Mercury Café are always an eclectic mix with swing dance, poetry slams and tarot readings on the calendar. But last week the place levitated to a place even the Tibetan meditation class would envy. The occasion was a concert by the brilliant jazz band, Zuri, featuring the angelic voice of Prudence Mabhena, to benefit the Cunningham Foundation.

Hosted by Zuri cellist James Bailey, the event opened with some “world-inspired, improvisational, high-energy jazz”, as vibes playing percussionist Greg Tanner Harris describes the Zuri sound (I’d have gone with “jaw-dropping, eye-popping” myself), while artist Laurie Maves painted the scene on canvas for auction. Soon Prudence rolled in gracefully; the most grounded human being I’ve ever seen, with a soul that emanates from her brown/black eyes. She is pure spirit and a set of pipes that will make you believe in God.

Though recovering well, her energy allows her to “…sing for a long time, or talk for a long time. I choose to sing.” Bailey spoke for her in words of gratitude and humor, introducing the songs and their meanings. Traditional African folk songs that brought out the best of the three percussionists lined up with original songs, lovingly penned by Miss Pru, made for an engaging and uplifting set. But it was the most transcendent arrangement of “Amazing Grace” that lifted the room to the stratosphere. Prudence does not actually sing the song, she channels it.  Honestly, I am not sure I’ve ever experienced pure Spirit in human form before this moment.

Born with a debilitating disorder called arthrogryposis, Prudence’s triumph over physical adversity and the pain of poverty is the subject of an Oscar® winning documentary film, “Music by Prudence”, seen at Mountainfilm in 2010. Earlier this year, restaurateur/philanthropist, Noel Cunningham arranged for the young Mabhena to come to Denver for a series of spine straightening operations to correct a worsening spinal collapse that would have eventually silenced her singing. Performed by Dr. Mark Erickson at Children’s Hospital, the surgeries were a success and will allow Prudence to continue singing with her band, her mission of spreading joy and teaching music and her message of “Never give up.” Proceeds from the day will directly help Miss Mabhena return to Zimbabwe, arrange for a home and support the music school she founded. Continued donations can be made at www.cunninghamfoundation.org.

Ed. note: Prudence Mabhena recently performed at 2011 Mountainfilm in Telluride. Tracy Shaffer's article fits nicely between Mountainfilm and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, going on in Telluride this weekend.