The Music Hall is ringing in the New Year with a spate of shows that blend musical traditions from the United States and beyond. The “Soul, Roots and Spirituals” lineup includes five events in January and February.

The series begins with a visit from critic and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., who will read from his latest book, “Life Upon These Shores,” which traces the history of African Americans through major events, debates, controversies and achievements. Gates will be at The Music Hall Loft on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $64 to $61 (tickets include a copy of the book and a bar beverage).

The lineup also includes four concerts at The Music Hall’s main theater, starting with the Carolina Chocolate Drops on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Drops are a black string band touring in support of their latest CD, “Genuine Negro Jig,” which won a 2011 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. Tickets are $24 to $19.

Soul musician Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires are touring on behalf of his autobiographical debut album, “No Time for Dreaming.” Bradley opened for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at The Music Hall in 2011, and he’ll return as the headliner on Friday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27 to $22.

Coming direct from South Africa is the Soweto Gospel Choir, a vocal ensemble that sings tribal, traditional and popular African and Western gospel songs in eight languages. They’ll perform an encore at the nearby site of the African American Burying Ground the same night. The show is on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42 to $36.

Concluding the series are R&B and Motown legends The Temptations, helmed by founding member Otis Williams. The four-time Grammy winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers come to town on Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $52 to $44.