What is the sound of American music, and from where does that sound originate? How does music both reflect and shape the place and people from which it springs forth? How can music build community? Where does American music come from?
Join us for a special Memphis and Mississippi Delta-themed evening as we join forces with the team behind the documentary Take Me To The River (2014) and the Soulsville Foundation (STAX Records) to explore how Memphis and the Mississippi Delta region generated some of the most exciting music in American history. Through conversation and live performances with multiple generations of iconic musicians from the region, we will celebrate the profound legacy of Memphis's extraordinary musical community and chart the musical evolution of the region from blues to soul to hip hop.
The evening will start with a panel discussion with clips from Take Me To The River to explore the unique collaborative musical environment that has thrived in the Memphis area for decades featuring speakers:
- William Bell, singer, songwriter, producer, and Grammy Award-winner
- Bobby Rush, blues musician, composer, singer, and Grammy Award-winner
- Boo Mitchell, musician, songwriter, audio engineer, record producer and owner of Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee
- Martin Shore, filmmaker and Grammy Award-nominee
- Al Bell, STAX Records former owner and chairman
- Deanie Parker, STAX Records former PR director, Soulsville Foundation president
After the discussion we’ll open up to a reception and—in an American History (After Hours) first—a live concert featuring Belland Rush, as well as performances from Academy Award-winner Frayser Boy, Critics Choice-winner Al Kapone, Boo Mitchell, backed by the Hi Rhythm Section, who have 27 Gold and Platinum albums to their name (including all of Al Green’s classics). Additional performers to be announced soon.
Tickets include entry to the panel discussion, reception, and concert; as well as food and drink. This is a 21+ event.
Take Me to the River is a feature documentary film celebrating the inter-generational and inter-racial musical influence of Memphis in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. The film brings multiple generations of award-winning Memphis and Mississippi Delta musicians together, following them through the creative process of recording a historic new album, to re-imagine the utopia of racial, gender and generational collaboration of Memphis in its heyday.
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