LA Opera Presents Les Talens Lyriques On November 13

(Los Angeles) October 15, 2024 — On November 13, LA Opera will present the Paris-based chamber ensemble Les Talens Lyriques in a concert under the baton of founder and conductor Christophe Rousset, taking place in the intimate environment of Zipper Hall. The program, entitled "The Sound of Music in Versailles," is a tribute to the flourishing sound worlds of the master composers of the French Baroque era, created for the royal courts of King Louis XIV and XV.

"The Sound of Music in Versailles" will showcase music by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) and François Couperin (1668-1733), as well as the lesser known Michel Lambert (c. 1610-1696) and Michel Pignolet de Montéclair (1667-1737).

Mezzo-soprano Amboisine Bré will be the featured vocal soloist. In addition to Mr. Rousset at the harpsichord, the instrumentalists will be violinist Gilone Gaubert violinist Benjamin Chénier and cellist Emmanuel Jacques.

Performance and Ticket Info

Les Talens Lyriques will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, at the Colburn School's Zipper Concert Hall (located at 200 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012).

A limited number of tickets are on sale now, beginning at $54. Tickets can be purchased online at LAOpera.org, by phone at 213.972.8001, or in person at the LA Opera box office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012). For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.

About Les Talens Lyriques

Championing a broad vocal and instrumental repertoire ranging from early Baroque to the beginnings of Romanticism, the musicians of Les Talens Lyriques aim to throw light on the great masterpieces of musical history, while providing perspective by presenting rarer or little-known works that are important as missing links in the European musical heritage. This musicological and editorial work, which contributes to their renown, is a priority for the ensemble.

Les Talens Lyriques takes their name from the subtitle of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s 1739 opera Les Fêtes d’Hébé. Their repertoire includes works by Monteverdi, Cavalli, Landi, Handel, Lully, Desmarest, Mondonville, Cimarosa, Traetta, Jommelli, Martin y Soler, Mozart, Salieri, Rameau, Gluck, Beethoven, Cherubini, García, Berlioz, Massenet, Gounod, Saint-Saëns and others.

Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques appear throughout Europe, with performances at the Opéra National de Paris, Opéra-Comique, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Philharmonie de Paris, Opéra Royal de Versailles, Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Lausanne Opéra, Teatro Real Madrid, Vienna State Opera, Theater an der Wien, Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie in Brussels, London’s Wigmore Hall and Barbican Centre, among others, as well as on tour elsewhere throughout the world.

Learn more at LesTalensLyriques.com.

Nicole Byer Brings the Funny to Beverly Hills

Nicole Byer

By Darlene Donloe

Nicole Byer has a ‘funny’ way of making her audience laugh.

For one night only, during a recent standup set at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Byer’s comedy was on fire as she held the nearly sold-out, diverse audience in the palm of her hand.

Dressed casually in jeans, a bright, multi-colored striped top and black-white checked sneakers, Byers showed why she is a popular comedienne. Her charming personality – coupled with a solid delivery makes her a formidable comical opponent.

With only a microphone and a stool, the actress, host, and comedienne, who confidently paced back and forth making good use of the stage, took the audience on a journey through her life.

As she was introduced, Byer, sporting a slimmed-down frame, walked quickly to the lone microphone in the middle of the stage and wasted no time getting to work. A veteran and a pro, she knows how to keep the audience’s attention.

Nicole Byer

Best known as the host of the EMMY-nominated baking series Nailed It!, the podcaster and writer, whose 1,000-watt personality is as warm and inviting as it is hilarious and engaging, talked about being a big star with several Emmy nominations, using Ozempic, her hosting duties on ‘Wipeout,’ with co-host John Cena, traveling with her friend, Sasheer Zamata, who is also her co-host on the podcast ‘Best Friends,’ meeting a Munchkin-size Tom Cruise, her love of porn and her many failed relationships.

She proudly spoke about dumping one date because he bragged about putting sour cream in his mac ‘n cheese. It was a deal breaker.

But what she’s good at is interacting with her audience. She feeds off of the crowd. Half of her set was asking questions of those in the audience. With just a simple prompt as, ‘Who’s in a relationship,?’ Byer is off and running, with quick, and witty repartee. She could do a whole set by dissecting the relationship of her fans.

Nicole Byer

Looking for relationship advice, Byer, who loves to interject anecdotes from her life, asked one couple in the audience the secret to their longevity. Both the man and the woman, who have been married for 49 years, seemed confused by the question. Awkward moments went by with Byer close to giving up on getting an answer.  She jokingly looked at the couple and said, “I’m just trying to get some relationship advice.” Finally, the man said, keeping his mouth shut was the secret, while the woman said it was having good humor. By that time, Byer was ready to move on.

Fresh off her performance in the Netflix Is A Joke festival, Byer, who can be seen in the Netflix special, ‘Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy, ‘Grand Crew,’ briefly bragged about her busy career.

In 2020, Byer made history by becoming the first Black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program” and was nominated again in 2021 and 2022. The series premiered its seventh season in October 2022.

Byer can be seen in Comedy Central’s supernatural comedy, Cursed Friends alongside Harvey Guillén, Jessica Lowe, and Andrew Lewis Caldwell. She also appears in the immersive comedy special, Surrounded, presented by Just for Laughs.

Nori Reed

Nori Reed was the perfect opener. With her acerbic delivery, she quickly had the audience in stitches.

Reed, originally from Kentucky, is an LA-based comedian, writer, and actress who, at one time, described her comedy as languid, critical, psychosexual, and secretly hopeful.

Her set was much too short. Reed, who introduced Byer, is a great warm-up. It would be worth the price of admission to see her set again. 

As the audience left, it was clear by the quips and laughter, that Byer had successfully brought the funny!

 

 

Pianist Christian Sands Is 'Embracing Dawn'

Christian Sands

By Darlene Donloe

Pianist Christian Sands recently made his Hollywood Bowl debut – and it was alongside some heavy hitters. 

Sands performed September 11, as part of the ‘Jazz on Tap at the Bowl’ program, featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins with Music Director Christian McBride who co-hosted the show with the legendary Ben Vereen.  

Other band members included Rodney Jones (guitar), Clayton Cameron (drums), and special guest Terence Blanchard.  

Savion Glover brought down the house with his high-energy tapping.

Others on tap included legendary tap dancers Sarah Reich, Michela Marino Lerman, and Karen Callaway Williams, who tapped alongside featured singers including Freda Payne, Judith Hill, and Paula Cole.  

Sands, 35, dapper in a blue checkered-like suit, was masterful as he tickled the ivories.  

The New Haven, Conn. native and Grammy-nominated artist (Be Water), who now calls Los Angeles home, is having a great year. Not only is he touring and reveling on a successful Hollywood Bowl debut, but he is set to release his latest CD, ‘Embracing Dawn,’ on September 27, with ‘MMC’ as the first single to drop.

Christian Sands

I caught up with Sands (CS), who received a B.A. and a Masters from the Manhattan School of Music, recently to talk about his career. 

DD: When did you first discover the piano?  

CS: The piano chose me. I started playing when I was one year old. The story goes that I would never pound the keys. I would use my fingers to play the piano. We had an upright spinet, and my aunt bought me an upright piano. Lessons started when I was four. I studied classical piano at four. A family friend, a musical director of a church recommended to my parents that I take piano lessons. She passed away when I was five. She left her piano to me in her will. I still own it today. 

DD: Describe what you felt like when you heard the piano.

CS: It's the same now. It’s joy. It’s a place of safety. It’s a place of exploration and pure expression. I still have the same feelings.

DD: When did you get serious about it?

CS: I’ve been performing professionally since I was seven years old. Music is just who I am. That’s a hard question to answer. When I figured out I could make this a living career, I was probably about 14 or 15. I had a steady performance job at a restaurant called Sage in New Haven. I played every Friday. I got paid and I got tips.

DD:  When you were growing up did you ever think you would play the Hollywood Bowl?

CS: No.  Well, yes, eventually. I had no clue at all. 

DD: What are your feelings about that venue? 

CS: I’m very excited. Always wanted to. I’ve seen many wonderful shows there. It’s an honor to play with those musicians. 

DD:  Talk about playing with Christian McBride at the Hollywood Bowl.  Are you two friends? How long have you known him? What’s the relationship?

CS: He’s sort of like my older brother. We’ve known each other since 2010. We used to work together a lot. I was a part of his trio, The Christian McBride Trio. That was my entryway into the pros.  We just performed for Blue Note Napa Festival recently. That’s my brother from another mother. 

DD: Talk about your new album ‘Embracing Dawn’. Why that title?

CS: The title came from the creation of the record. The record was birthed through transition, heartache, trying to find a place of healing and understanding, and about what comes next in one’s life. I wanted to create a space for people to go to. It’s embracing the next steps. The new day. For me, it was a change in relationship, a change in the scope of myself, and a change from the East Coast to the West Coast. 

DD: How long did this latest album take to produce/record?

CS: It took me about a year to write the music. I was trying to capture different aspects of what someone goes through with grief, happiness, hope, and failure. I also wanted to write music about it – as I was going through it. There are nine cuts on the album. 

DD: Talk about the first single, “MMC.” – Moms Mac and Cheese. How did this song come about?

CS: With MMC – we think about the forms of healing and transition. One of those things that helped me was always having a good, home-cooked meal. It’s more about the sustaining of one’s soul. Any time you get a good meal, it does something to your soul. It reminds you everything is going to be cool. Who better than one’s mother who makes a wonderful bowl of MMC? It’s also about showing that there is a place where one can be fulfilled in their soul. Part of that is cuisine.

DD: How would you describe your music?

CS: It’s me. It’s steeped in the traditions of American Black music, classical, jazz, and funk.  I’m a product of that. It’s also creative. I write music to tell stories of people, America, my people, and experiences.

DD:  What do you struggle with as an artist?

CS:  Everything. There are so many things to struggle with. You'd have to be more specific. I struggle with everything everyone else struggles with, a stable home, finances, and relationships. I am fine with how to create.

DD:  How often do you tour?

CS:  Every day. I’m usually on the road 80% of the year.

DD: What do you like and dislike about touring?

CS: I like that I get to experience the world, people, culture, and different ideals, I get to learn stories of humanity. No matter where I am, people love music. They love my music. I’m so appreciative.

DD: Do you switch up your repertoire depending on where you are in the world?

CS: I can play the same thing in America, that I play in Brazil, Budapest, Copenhagen, or Italy.  I have fond memories of every place I’ve gone. The bad part is the travel. It’s the up and down, and the lack of sleep.

DD: What does music do for you?

CS: It allows me to travel and communicate. I can talk to you with my instrument. I can say what I truly feel.  Music allows you to transform language.

It’s a storyteller.

DD: When you are performing, are you conscious of the audience?

CS: The audience is part of the band. If they are not into it, I’m not into it. I’m conscious of everything.

DD: Ten years from now – what do you want to be and what do you hope to be doing?

CS: I’ve been trying to figure that out. What I want to be doing is institution building. I’m somebody who believes in giving back to the well that has fed and watered you. That can be me either performing, teaching, or being an artistic director of something I’ve created.

'Kill Move Paradise' Looks At Black Brotherhood In The Afterlife

By Darlene Donloe

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames (2022-Fat Ham) isn’t afraid to go there. 

He likes to do deep dives and evoke uncomfortable questions that audiences are encouraged to answer for themselves based on what they believe they saw on the stage. 

His 2017 drama, ‘Kill Move Paradise,’ currently enjoying its Southern California premiere at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A., is a sampling of Ijames’ diverse works.

(l-r) Jonathan P. Sims, Ulato Sam, Cedric Joe, and Ahkei Togun

The story is about four Black men, torn from the world without warning, who find themselves in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife, which is described as being “reminiscent of Elysium” - the Greek paradise inhabited by only the most heroic or virtuous souls.

One by one we see the men being tossed down a giant slide from which there is no return.

And, one by one, they challenge their earthly fates, while trying to make sense of their new life, or in this case – death journey. 

Ulato Sam

Isa, played by Ulato Sam, is the first one to find himself alone in a waiting room of sorts. As his eyes adjust, he notices a printer, the inquisitive eyes of the audience, and nothing else. Perplexed as to how he ended up there, he enlists the help of the audience – but to no avail. He tries to remember the last thing that happened before he awakened in his sparse digs.  As things start to slowly come to his remembrance, including his proximity to law enforcement, he asks the question, “At what age is a Black boy when he learns he’s scary? At eight?”  It’s a provocative question that permeates the Black community.

(l-r) Ulato Sam, Ahkei Togun, and Jonathan P. Sims

Next to drop in is Grif, played by Jonathan P. Sims, then Daz, played by Ahkei Togun, and later a youngster named Tiny, played by Cedric Joe. The three older men are thrown for a loop at Tiny’s youth and his presence in the waiting room.  Tiny is still holding a toy AK47 when he tumbles to his fate. 

Why they are there and the question about their fate is a conundrum to the quartet, who quickly bond to figure out their circumstances. 

Ijames has crafted a thought-provoking, stimulating, and amazing drama that explores humanity on its raw terms. 

The cast of 'Kill Move Paradise'

“I wanted to create a space in which the humanity of the people on stage is undeniable,” Ijames said in an interview. “These characters embody all the ways in which we try to be human. They are jealous, they are kind, they are maternal and paternal, they are pushed physically to the edge of something and then fall. I always say that I hope this play becomes obsolete one day. That’s like a crazy thing for a playwright to say. But I hope one day that people will say we don’t need to do this play anymore because we are different. We are better.” 

While Isa has had time to evaluate his life and death, Daz, Grif, and Tiny find it easier to play, sing, tease, and uplift one another as they’re forced to confront how they arrived in this unearthly place. 

This show has some heart-breaking moments, especially when each man tries unsuccessfully to fling themselves back across a steep, angled slide that brought them there. 

Their realization that they are each, indeed, dead is a sobering moment for the men, who try to remember their last moments of life.

(l-r) Ulato Sam, Ahkei Togun, and Jonathan P. Sims

A sense of melancholy bathes the hushed theatre during a scene when Isa reads the names of an ever-growing list of slain Black men and women, coupled with the fear and threat of death the men continue to face daily. 

Some heads bowed and several theatergoers shed a tear as familiar names like Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, George Floyd…and others not as well known -  were read out loud - all being the victims of “death by cop”. For those who understand the agonizing significance, it’s a painful moment in the show – that takes your breath away, especially as the printer continues to pour out the never-ending names. 

The men soon find out that they are not stranded forever. This is just a stopover on their way to eternal bliss. 

(l-r) Ulato Sam, Cedric Joe, Ahkei Togun, and Jonathan P. Sims

Even though the dialogue is filled with righteous indignation, considering the subject matter, Ijames’ showed some restraint in this tome. 

Ijames’ light, sometimes comical injections help the audience to digest this heavy show. 

For instance, there are interludes of a painfully “playful” nature, as when Tiny has an imaginary, sitcom-esque reunion with his parents, complete with a laugh track, and when the men act out a surreally over-the-top childhood game. 

'Kill Move Paradise' is a captivating reminder of our collective humanity.

Kudos to Sam, Sims, Togun, and Joe, who through their acting and their physical performances – push the story forward.

Gregg T. Daniel

A story like this could only be put in the hands of a masterful director like Gregg T. Daniel, who has proven, time after time, that he knows how to bring a production and its emotional penalties to life. Kudos to Daniel, who has helmed several August Wilson plays at A Noise Within. He had his hands full with this one. ‘Kill Move Paradise’ at its guttural core, is no easy play to interpret. 

“Kill Move Paradise deals with ongoing violence against Black and Brown people in a highly original and unique way,” said Daniel. “The audience will laugh… while also feeling invested in the pain our heroes are feeling. We relate to these four young men as they find the humor in their situation, celebrate their culture, and revel in one another. It’s hard to hate someone when you get to know them. This is a kind of politically motivated theater I haven’t seen in some time.” 

‘Kill Move Paradise’ is a “must-see.” 

‘Kill Move Paradise,’ written by James Ijames, directed by Gregg T. Daniel, and produced by Sally Essex Lopresti, stars Cedric Joe, Ulato Sam, Jonathan P. Sims, and Ahkei Togun. 

Kudos to Toran Xavier Moore (choreographer), Donny Jackson (lighting designer), David Gonzales (sound designer), Stephanie Kerley Schwartz (scenic designer), and Wendell C. Carmichael (costume designer). 

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother, O (oh, no) N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah) and E (exceptional) ‘Kill Move Paradise’ gets an E (exceptional). 

Running time: 80 minutes with no intermission. 

‘Kill Move Paradise’, Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA; 8 p.m., Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Wed., Sept 25 and Oct. 16; through Nov. 3, 2024; $20 - $40, with an additional $3 per ticket fee if using a credit card. “College Nights” on Friday, Sept. 27, and Friday, Oct. 18 are Pay-What-You-Can (reservations open online and at the door starting at 5:30 p.m.). For more information and to purchase tickets, (310) 477-2055 or OdysseyTheatre.com.

 

R&B/Gospel Singer Lady Harmony is "Too" & "Too"

R&B/Gospel singer-songwriter Lady Harmony aka LeNaSa Deshon Scott draws inspiration from her faith and real-life experiences, using her sharp instincts to create music that speaks to both worlds. Finding the balance in her life for both the street and the church is the muse she explores on the 22-song double album that she wrote and produced titled “Too Street For The Church & Too Church For The Street.” The N Harmony Records release drops this Sunday (September 15).   

Lady Harmony’s unlikely story since October 2021 when she began releasing a new song and video every Sunday is unique and divinely guided. Since she launched Soulful Sunday, the title she gave her weekly platform for the new songs and videos, her social media grew exponentially, and her consistency was rewarded with tens of millions of streams and views. Scott has an innate gift of being able to communicate relatable messages and encouraging words of optimism, inspiration, faith, and forgiveness that resonate deeply with the devout audience she has cultivated.

Even more impressive is how Lady Harmony got God to be her radio promoter. That’s the only way to explain how her 2022 single, “Better Than Good To Me,” hit No. 2 on the Billboard gospel chart and generated 11 million views on YouTube without doing any radio promotion. The success of that viral single made Lady Harmony Billboard’s No. 4 top gospel artist on the year-end chart, again, all without the aid of a radio promoter.

“Too Street For The Church & Too Church For The Street” is Lady Harmony’s fourth album on her N Harmony Records imprint. The organic groundswell that she generated during Soulful Sunday - 21 of her tracks have charted in 81 countries - over the last two years led to a global distribution pact for her label with Sony Music’s The Orchard.

Lady Harmony defies standard music industry practices and customs, instead preferring to follow her own intuition. That explains why she’s bucking the industry standard of a Friday album release date for releasing the album on Soulful Sunday. And while the record industry gets further and further away from albums in favor of playing the Spotify singles game, Lady Harmony doubled down quite literally by creating a double album, “Too Street For The Church & Too Church For The Street.”

“I decided to record a double album because I wanted to fully express the duality of my life experiences and my musical influences. Each volume represents a different side of me—one rooted in real-life experiences and the struggles I’ve faced, and the other deeply connected to my faith and spiritual journey. Both sides are equally important, and I felt that a single album wouldn’t do justice to the stories I wanted to tell,” said Scott, who released her debut album, “I Owe It All To You,” in 2006.   

The new album title itself reflects Scott’s own personal and spiritual journey. She fully embraces both sides of her identity and is fiercely committed to being her authentic self because both the street and church have made her who she is while giving her music a broader appeal.   

“‘Too Street for the Church & Too Church for the Street’ perfectly captures my duality. It reflects the tension I’ve often felt, where I don’t fully fit into either world. On one side, my upbringing and life experiences make me too raw and real for some people in the church, and on the other hand, my faith and beliefs set me apart from the streets. The title is my way of embracing both parts of who I am and telling my story without trying to fit into a box. The phrase came to me naturally because it’s how I’ve felt for a long time—caught between two worlds but belonging to both,” said Scott, who resides in San Diego.

The rich culture, traditions, and values of her Baton Rouge, Louisiana hometown have always been important to Scott. She celebrates her upbringing on the album opener, “Louisiana,” saying, “The song is a reflection of the intricacies of the way of life that shaped me.”

While most of the project is unadulterated Lady Harmony, baring her heart and soul while singing with passion, purpose, and power, she shares the spotlight on the track “Broken Family Ties featuring Boosie Badazz,” the rapper who is a fellow Baton Rouge native.

“The story behind Boosie being on this album was another act of God. Boosie heard the Soulful Sunday remixed version and reached out to me to collaborate on the song. I was so excited and very much taken aback when he reached out. His verse was a perfect addition to the song,” said Scott.

Again, flying in the face of industry convention, Lady Harmony published her first book last month, “The Book of Harmony,” which is a collection of her writings and songs.

“‘The Book of Harmony’ is a companion piece to the album, serving to help guide the reader through the journey of life. It’s life lessons and the melody of resilience, offering solace through adversity and inspiration for daily living. The book is a collection of my writings, song lyrics, and personal reflections that invites readers to explore love, perseverance, and personal growth leading to self-discovery and cultivating inner strength,” Scott said.

Lady Harmony plans to tour this fall in support of “Too Street for the Church & Too Church for the Street” and “The Book of Harmony,” with details soon to be announced.

“Too Street For The Church” contains the following songs:

“Louisiana”

“Good Intentions”

“Been There Done That”

“Just Keep On Living”

“Broken Family Ties featuring Boosie Badazz” (remix)

“When People Don’t Know Your Business” (extended version)

“Optimism” (version)

“Peace Of Mind” (remix)

“I Came Out On Top”

“The Few Good Men”

“You Only Have One Life”

“Too Church For The Street” contains the following songs:

“He Keeps On Waking Me Up”

“It’s Time To Pray”

“Better Than Good To Me”

“Good To Me” (remix)

“Lord I Need You”

“I’ve Never Seen”

“Wait It Out”

“Walk In The Promise” (remix)

“He Keeps On Forgiving Me” (remix)

“Thank You” (version)

“I’m A Soldier”

For more information, visit https://ladyharmonyofficial.com.

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CeCe Winans Announces 28-City Tour For 2025

CeCe Winans

(Los Angeles, CA) - The unstoppable, multiple award-winning artist CeCe Winans, is gearing up for another extraordinary tour. While her Christmas Tour, featuring special guest Roman Collins, is nearly sold out, fans have more to look forward to.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Fresh off the release of her new album  More Than This, the 15-time Grammy winner is gearing up for her biggest tour ever-the CeCe Winans More Than This Live in Concert Tour! This extraordinary event will take CeCe's powerful live experience to 28 cities across the U.S., redefining the worship encounter with a mix of her biggest hits and brand-new fan favorites. Don't miss out. Visit www.cecewinans.com<http://www.cecewinans.com> to see if she's coming to a city near you!

Winans shares her excitement about the upcoming tours, saying, "I'm deeply humbled by the outpouring of love and support. Seeing the Christmas Tour nearly sold out is an incredible blessing. This journey has been beyond amazing, and I'm so grateful to keep sharing God's message through music. The 'More Than This' tour is going to be truly special, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us."

More Than This (PureSpring Gospel/Fair Trade Services), features the hit single

'That's My King,' is #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart and has become Winans' most-played CCM radio release to date. The song currently ranks in the Top 5 on three different charts: Mediabase Christian Audience (#5), Mediabase Christian AC (#5), and Billboard Christian AC (#5).  Meanwhile, her signature songs 'Goodness of God' and 'Holy Forever' continue to be fan favorites.

CeCe is thankful to partner again with her friends at Compassion International and Transparent Productions to bring this tour to life.

MORE THAN THIS TOUR - WINTER / SPRING 2025

  *  Feb. 12 - Canton, OH - Canton Memorial Civil Center

  *  Feb. 13 - Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids First

  *  Feb. 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Grace Church

  *  Feb. 19 - Kansas City, MO - Sheffield Family Life Center

  *  Feb. 20 - Wichita, KS - Central Community Church

  *  Feb. 21 - Colorado Springs, CO  - New Life Church

  *  Feb. 27 - Los Angeles, CA (Cypress) - Seacoast Grace Church

  *  Feb. 28 - Corona, CA - Crossroads Christian Church

  *  Mar. 1 - San Diego, CA - Rock Church

  *  Mar. 5 - Tulsa, OK - Victory Church

  *  Mar. 6 - San Antonio, TX - Summit Church

  *  Mar. 7 - Tyler, TX - Green Acres Baptist Church

  *  Mar. 12 - Ft. Myers, FL - First Assembly of God

  *  Mar. 13 - Lakeland, FL - Family Worship Center

  *  Mar. 14 - Orlando, FL (Longwood) - Northland Church

  *  Mar. 19 - Monroe, LA - North Monroe Baptist Church

  *  Mar. 20 - Birmingham, AL - Church of the Highlands

  *  Mar. 21 - Little Rock, AR - The Church at Rock Creek

  *  Mar. 26 - Washington, DC (Vienna, VA) - McLean Bible Church

  *  Mar. 27 - Buffalo, NY - The Chapel, CrossPointe Campus

  *  Mar. 28 - Lynchburg, VA - Thomas Road Baptist Church

  *  Apr. 2 - Texarkana, AR - First Baptist Church Texarkana

  *  Apr. 3 - Lake Charles, LA - Glad Tidings Church

  *  Apr. 4 - Pensacola, FL - Olive Baptist Church

  *  Apr. 9 - Baton Route, LA - The Healing Place

  *  Apr. 10 - Albany, GA - Sherwood Baptist Church

  *  Apr. 11 - Jacksonville, FL - The Potter's House International Ministries

  *  Apr. 14 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium - Ryman Auditorium (A HOLY WEEK CELEBRATION)*

*All dates are promoted by Transparent Productions except the Ryman Auditorium concert on April 14th.  That concert is promoted by the venue themselves.

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GENERATIONS CONFERENCE:

  *  May 9-10 - Nashville, TN - Generations Conference

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REMAINING 2024 TOUR DATES:

  *  Sep. 19 - Toronto, CA - Sold Out

  *  Sep. 21 - Moncton, NB

  *  Dec. 4 - Reading, PA (Christmas)

  *  Dec. 5 - Charlotte, NC (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 6 - Norfolk, VA (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 11 - Knoxville, TN (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 12 - Savannah, GA (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 13 - Milner, GA (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 18 - Ft. Wayne, IN

  *  Dec. 19 - Tysons, VA (Christmas) - Sold Out

  *  Dec. 20 - Newark, NJ

The Crockett Project's Latest Single is 'Brand New'

Entering a transitional time in his life, guitarist Kevin Crockett was apprehensive about what loomed ahead. But as a devout man of faith, he leaped into the unknown anyway. That move from big city Boston after graduating Berklee College of Music to smalltown Franklinton, North Carolina led to meeting his future wife, becoming a member of a new church ministering with the praise and worship team; and taking on a new focus: launching The Crockett Project, his gospel/Christian group. Crockett journaled the transformative experience and set it to music as “Brand New,” the single that he wrote and produced dropping last Friday (August 23).

The prospect of relocation stirred uncertainty in Crockett as he contemplated all the unknowns the move would bring. But then he shifted his mindset to listening to the still small voice inside that was calling him to take the leap and trust in God’s will. Crockett surrendered and changed his life in unimagined ways.

“‘Brand New’ is intended to be a celebration of being new on the inside through Christ. It was written in a time of personal transition as far as direction in my life. God was telling me to make a move. I also knew that once I made that move everything would be new: new focus, new surroundings, new church, and new people. The single was written about being new on the inside, which can and did affect every part of my life,” said Crockett, who plays electric and acoustic guitar on the track.

Mixing gospel, jazz fusion, and soulful R&B, “Brand New” is a vocal song featuring two powerfully illuminating lead voices, Jalisa Faye and Quayshaunna Massey. Massey and Kimberly Chante’ add celestial background vocals. Mid-tune Dave Percell issues a stirring acoustic guitar sermon, slashing and burning through the wall of keyboards constructed by Crockett, Nile Hargrove, Jairus McNeil, and David McNeil. Jimmy Brown (bass synth) and Damir Watson (drums) anchor the rhythmic groove.

“Brand New” will appear on The Crockett Project’s debut album, “Faith is the Key,” which is tentatively slated for release next summer. Crockett has released singles as The Crockett Project in the gospel and Christian genre. Their debut gospel single “Your Word” (2017) was followed by the instrumental “Glory” last year. In the jazz realm, Crocket releases music under his own name. 2022’s "Cruizin' in the Wind" and 2023’s “Be Light There” hit Billboard’s most added list in their debut week of release.  

Crockett grew up in Washington, DC where he played in local bands and gospel groups. After he finished his schooling, his professional career touring and performing with dozens of smooth/contemporary jazz artists took off. His resume includes gigs with Kim Scott, Marcus Anderson, Willie Bradley, Lin Rountree, Ragan Whiteside, Gino Rosaria, Althea Rene, Art Sherrod Jr., Eric Darius, Jazmin Ghent, Jeanette Harris, Marqueal Jordan, Reggie Codrington, George Freeman, Patrick Lamb, and Brooke Alford. Crockett is a member of World Overcomers Christian Church and ministers on his instrument as a part of the praise and worship team.

For more information, visit https://www.thecrockettproject.com.