Raindrops start to fall, and umbrellas go up while some of the elders pack up their lawn chairs and head back out. That might be the difference between the baby boomers, gen xers and millennials, they don’t mess with the Lord and his work. As most patrons take shelter under several of the tents, it’s now pretty much a waiting game.
The Loss of Legends
I never thought about the idea that this could be the last time I have an opportunity to catch this person. For me it was man I get to capture Natalie Cole or Al Jarreau or Aretha Franklin, how cool is that.
2018 The RVA Jazz Festival
For me, this year has probably been one of the better years regarding the schedule. The acts were spaced and timed far enough apart where I didn’t feel the need to pick and choose between two acts that I really wanted to see.
Bring the noise
For a long time, I struggled with where I fit in the world of photography, particularly since my work is a stark contrast to what you see with traditional photographers. Once I really immersed myself into it, like most newbies, I compared my work and wished that it looked more like this or that.
Missed Opportunities
There’s a lot of opportunity with this type of event; in the form of catching multiple artists that maybe you’ve been eyeing for some time. It’s also a perfect opportunity to check off your bucket list.
Jump
I had a response. I promise you I almost shit in my pants. And if you know me, you know that I had moment of “losing my mind”, but I had to keep it under control because I was at work. Talk about hard. Once I was able to pull myself together and I read the email in its entirety,
Blue Note Revered
It's A Recap | QC Jazz Fest
Saturday, June 16th marked the 4th Annual Queen City Jazz Fest. If you’re unfamiliar, the QC Jazz Fest is held in Charlotte and curated by music enthusiast Charles Whitfield. Unlike most festivals, QCJF is a one day event starting around 6 in the evening. That’s awesome especially considering the heat and humidity for North Carolina during this time of year. It’s typically held at back of the Fillmore in the Amphitheatre, now called Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre.
My Alabama Story | The Lynching Memorial
As we make our way through security, the first thing you see as you come out of the darkness is this amazingly beautiful but quite dark sculpture by Ghanaian artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo. The sculpture consists of seven individual people who are all connected literally by the chains of bondage, leading them into a life of slavery.
It's A Preview | Queen City Jazz Fest
QC Jazz Fest 2018
Saturday, June 16th marks the 4th annual Queen City Jazz Fest. Charles Whitfield has curated another great event. This year, the Queen City will play host to Mr. Smooth and Mellow - Will Downing, The Rippingtons, power music couple - Kindred the Family Soul and the incredible and eclectic - Normal Brown. From beginning to end, this one day festival has something for everyone.
I've had to opportunity to catch Will, but the festival was rained out, so I missed him. This will be a treat for me. Kindred, I've covered them a few times and even went to Philly to catch one of their Kindred Presents shows. This is a couple/group you can never grow tired of. So I'm excited to see Fatin and Aja. And Norman, well I caught him last year at the Richmond Jazz Fest and I instantly became a fan. I don;t know too much about The Rippingtons but I'm eager to find out more about them and their music... that's the beauty of music festivals.
My Alabama Story | Africatown
The slave trade had been outlawed, but a group of white men, initiated by Timothy Meaher and based on a bet, sailed to Africa, kidnapped and illegally transported the last group of captives; 120 African men and women, and enslaved them. The snippets were enough to pull me in.
Its A Recap | Let Love Love Tour
I mean words simply cannot fully express the power, range and depth of soul this woman possesses. I’ve seen her twice before, so I already knew and I was ready. As she worked her way across the stage shimmying and feeling ALL of herself, she belted out her hit, I Blame You ... gave us mad ad-lib with these spectacular scats and runs of which you really only get to experience when you catch her live.
It's A Preview | Let Love Rule
Ledisi is touring and her first stop is right here in Raleigh at The Ritz Raleigh. If you've not seen her in concert, you are certainly missing a treat. And you definitely should treat yourself to this amazing artist.
I've always been a fan, but it wasn't until I saw her live that I truly appreciated the artist, of which, she truly is. Twice now I've had the pleasure and privilege of covering her performance and I am definitely looking forward to this third time.
Have you given her newest music a listen? I'm all over Us 4Ever and All The Way. But then again, every cut on the album can stand on its own. This is the music that we, or at least I crave. You remember when the album dropped and you could listen to the entire album and not just one or two cuts. That's definitely what Let Love Rule is for me.