I am a little delayed in writing about the the Stax Music Academy Snap! program performance this past Saturday, but I am still groovin’ to the amazing beats that this talented group of students presented. I took my father for a daddy-daughter date (yes, we still have those!) and we could not have had a better time.
It must be said that my father raised me on Memphis soul music and I am a bit of a snob about it. While I love my mindless pop during a good workout, the rhythms from the 50s and 60s are what really stir my soul. I knew I was in for a treat when I walked into the Germantown Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night and saw the program for the evening: artist in residence Kirk Whalum has been working with the STAX students all year, and the great Cyrus Chestnut had featured performances during the show. While I love both of these artists, they are not who blew me away.
The music students of STAX academy are amazing! Soloists Samantha Beauregard and Ray Allen gave me chills during their performances of Got to Be Real and Yearnin’ For Your Love, respectively. The Premier Percussionists had the entire audience tapping their feet at the very least and even brought audience members up on stage to join them. The Soulsville Swing Band really brought down the house with tunes by Duke Ellington and many others. I just couldn’t get enough!
If you are not familiar with STAX Music Academy and the Soulsville Foundation, I encourage you to check out the work they do with students living in the Soulsville neighborhood in Memphis. It is truly remarkable. They have a few performances over the summer I believe and I can’t wait experience more from them.
Thank you very much!!!
Thankyou so much!!! I’m glad that you enjoyed it,it was a very fun night.