Jassen Allen began singing at church in Iowa. A music teacher took him under her wing, hoping the young Black man would become another Simon Estes, Iowa’s famed African American bass-baritone. The teacher convinced Allen to enter talent shows at the Iowa State Fair. “I never won the talent shows, but I got better and...
Get ready for our community’s red-carpet event of the year! Shining a light on the arts, the Marties put center stage not only groundbreaking artists, but also philanthropists, volunteers, and leaders that inspire passion for the arts in our community. What to Expect • Thrilling live performances that showcase the incredible talent of Martin County....
Chicago is home to the blues. So many great artists have come from the Windy City, among them Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, a group that has been standing tall among Chicago blues greats for more than 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s rollicking slide work and deep blues string...
Experience the magic of Joanne Shaw Taylor and her incredible band as they deliver a powerhouse performance featuring tracks from her latest album, Heavy Soul, and upcoming release, Black & Gold. Renowned for her exceptional guitar work and soulful songwriting, Joanne’s vocals soar as she blends blues, rock, soul, and pop. The show also features...
When your teacher and mentor is iconic blues guitarist Albert Collins, you listen. That’s what guitar virtuoso and soul-deep singer Coco Montoya did when Collins told him to “Just play what you feel, be real about it and enjoy yourself.” In a career spanning more than five decades, Montoya has followed that advice. Self-taught and...
It’s a long way from the mean streets of the Brazilian favelas to the tree-lined campus of an Iowa university, yet that’s the extraordinary journey musical twins Walter and Wagner Caldas made. The thirty-something-year-olds got their first instruments, violins, from their father, who had a small woodshop and made instruments for a local orchestra designed...
The Henhouse Prowlers are brand ambassadors, and the brand is the universality of music. The bluegrass band began life nearly two decades ago in Chicago, and its mission has always been to balance entertainment and education. Members Ben Wright on vocals and banjo, Jon Goldfine on vocals and guitar, Chris Dollar on vocals and guitar,...
