Bessie Smith Heritage Festival
August 23, 2008
Ruben Studdard rose to fame as winner of the second season of the American Idol television program. During the televised competition, Studdard, gained the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear". Studdard received a Grammy award nomination in December 2003 for best male R & B vocal performance and advance orders for his album Soulful topped the one million mark before it was released. Studdard says "coming out to my show, is like coming to my house. I'll play the songs I love. It's like a party. For me, a party has all different types of music happening."
Calvin Richardson is known as "The New Prince of Soul". He demonstrates he is a worthy heir to the tradition of Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack and Mervin Gaye. His new album, When Love Comes, delivers sex, soul and romance. Tracks such as "Fire In The Attic", "Nobody's Gonna Love You", and "When Love Comes" are sure to become classic love anthems suitable to set the mood for any late-night rendezvous. His variety of lyrical themes is matched by the variety of the grooves.
What does BB King, Bobbie Bland, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Harry Connick, Jr., Irma Thomas and Martin Scorsese have in common? Vasti Jackson! (pronounced Vast-eye) He is a soulful world renowned guitar player and vocalist, whose presence captures an audience the moment he takes the stage. Grammy-nominee Vasti Jackson will perform a workshop in Bessie Smith Hall demonstrating his craft. This is sure to be great prelude to his concert for the evening.
Joe Johnson
"There should be some type of bridge built between contemporary jazz lovers and fans of hip hop and R & B music." says international jazz saxophone sensation Joe Johnson and nowhere is that belief more evident than on Life of the Party, his latest smooth jazz release from YASNY Labels Group. It is an amazing CD overflowing with hard-hitting urban grooves, soulful slow jams and funky smooth jazz interpretations of some of hip-hop and R & B's greatest hits.
Ogya Band
The Ogya Band is a new world music band, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are a high energy band that will make you dance and dance and dance until you are out of breath.
Just a Few Cats
Just a Few Cats came together in the spring of 2000 to compete as a jazz band in a collegiate talent show and with their funky rendition of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", the Cat's were victorious. Then, in January of 2003, their lead singer Ruben Studdard, went off to Hollywood to eventually become the second American Idol. Now after two years of being the supporting cast for Ruben, Just a Few Cats has stepped their game up with their own debut album, CATastrophunk.
Order Tickets On line
or call
(423) 266-8658
Chattanooga African American Museum
200 East Martin Luther King Blvd
Chattanooga, TN 37403
