My friend Rico Brooks, who manages Gorilla Zoe, was in New Orleans for the Cutting Edge conference, and after we ate dinner at the Steak Knife, we headed over to Le Roux on Louisiana Avenue for the conference’s rap and R & B showcases. The hip-hop performances upstairs had ended early due to some artists on the line-up that failed to appear, but the R & B/soul showcases were still going on downstairs, including the Austin-based band Neckbone.
Bands
Tennessee Mass Choir at the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival 2011
The Tennessee Mass Choir is one of Memphis’ finest gospel choirs, and their performance at the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival was especially noteworthy, with legendary drummer Edward “Hot” Cleveland and bassist Jackie Clark backing them up. The rain could not dampen their enthusiasm, and it was a masterful performance.
Sharde Thomas and the Boys perform at the Otha Turner Picnic
Sharde Thomas and the Boys perform at the Otha Turner Picnic at Gravel Springs, Mississippi, August 27, 2011
The Acoustic Stage at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, Clarksdale, 2011
The Acoustic Stage was at the Sunflower River on Yazoo Avenue, next door to the Quapaw Canoe Company. This stage featured such artists as Kenny Brown, Lucious Spiller and Robert Belfour, August 13, 2011, Clarksdale, MS
Garry Burnside Live at the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic 2011
The Garry Burnside Band on stage at the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, June 25, 2011
Live Jazz at Atlanta’s Churchill Grounds @ChurchillJazz @ChurchillGround
More traditional jazz can be heard at Churchill Grounds, a jazz club in the Fox Theatre building on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. June 21, 2011.
Atlanta’s Home For Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul And Great Food @ApacheCafe
The Apache Cafe is a unique institution in Atlanta, offering hip-hop and experimental jazz, poetry, art, desserts and french press coffees. Definitely a must-do for any fan of hip-hop music when coming to ATL.
The Memphis All-Star Mass Band-Baby Come To Me (via @memphissoulfinger)
The Memphis All-Star Mass Band. Filled with high school kids and college students/alumni of various HBCU bands. Playing “Baby, Come To Me” by Regina Belle
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
At The Juneteenth Event in Douglass Park, North Memphis
Juneteenth, Douglass Park, North Memphis, June 18, 2011
Juneteenth in Memphis’ Douglass Park
Juneteenth in Memphis is held every year at Douglass Park in North Memphis, and it is always a big event, full of live music, dance, vendors, food and fun. Saturday June 18, 2011