The month of June is Black Music Month, and four years ago my small entertainment publicist firm – Tony Jones, INK! – created a promotion called “From Memphis To The World” to highlight it. Designated by former president Jimmy Carter in 1979, the month was rededicated by President Barack Obama as African American Music Appreciation Month. I prefer the original better, but either is correct.
Thanks to the generous support of W.C. Handy House Museum Executive Director Elaine Turner, who also owns Heritage Tours and the Slavehaven Underground Railroad Museum in Memphis, the lineup for this soulful month dedicated to Black artists and musicians, was announced June 4. The site commemorates Handy’s place in history for writing the “Memphis Blues,” birthing the project that led to establishment of pop music and culture as we know it today.
Here is the lineup of events:
• June 8 – Rounds joins the cast of the gospel play, “Ingathering of Grace,” at the New Daisy Theater. Created by writer, composer, vocalist and director Jenita Gently, and produced by her non-profit company S.O.A.R. (Skool of Artistic Revelation), the show has two performance times at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
• June 9 – Debra Sweeney’s Sunset Jazz series continues its great run with Ekpe & The African Jazz Ensemble at the Court Square. Ekpe is well-known for his work playing African derived instruments.
• June 10 – Rapper and producer Marco Pave begins taping for “Bloodbound,” his new audio-drama delving into music, family conflict and hoodoo on Beale Street. Pave is a funky innovator with a fellowship at Georgetown University, a soul of the street and a heart in our culture. (Disclosure: yours truly is playing the role of character Sam Avery, a loud-mouthed musician).
• June 15 – The pre-Juneteenth celebration at Slavehaven Underground Railroad Museum will highlight the historic Memphis site with an afternoon of culture, spoken word and music, as well as feature an environment filled with food and fun.
• June 22 – Former “American Idol” finalist Lil Rounds will host her own American Idol-type talent search called “The 12.” Rounds was a top 10 finalist on the show’s eighth season and her voice is richer and more powerful than ever. The headline event begins with auditions for Rounds at the Stax Museum of American Music. In collaboration with Visible Music College, Rounds has created the Mosaic Institute of the Arts, which is producing this exciting new project. Celebrity judges are currently being confirmed for the live concert finale at the Orpheum on Sept. 26.
• June 27 – The indie film version for the play “Ride On! How Stax Records Influenced Our Dreams,” will begin taping June 27 and will return to the stage this fall. I am excited about the opening of this project. Bring some friends!
Hope to meet you somewhere in Memphis during this month of great Black music and appreciation.
