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School of The Getdown presents the fifth annual Black Music Festival, a powerhouse afternoon of community, culture, and music, spanning jazz, blues, cabaret, funk, and hip-hop. Legendary vocalist Faye Carol presents excerpts from her monumental commissioned work Blues, Baroque, & Bars, featuring a live band, string quartet, and an intergenerational lineup of Bay Area rappers: Rico Pabon, Professor Kee, Ian Kelly, and Tia Nomore. World-renowned duo Tuck & Patti take the stage casting their passionate musical spell. Acclaimed vocalist Paula West dazzles with jazz and cabaret interpretations. This mosaic of music, culture, and community presents a diverse and powerful lineup of the Bay Area's finest artists across generations and genres. Supported by California Arts Council, Jazz Road, and Svane Family Foundation.
The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol
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The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol is known as an icon in the Bay Area and beyond, highly regarded for her powerful voice, astonishing versatility, and gift of connecting with her audience. Equally at home in jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, funk, latin, and hip-hop, she has developed her own authentic sound and unique delivery, delighting audiences young and old across the globe. After beginning her career with gospel music, Faye Carol made her name singing with Oakland blues and funk legend Johnny Talbot & De Thangs in the 1960s. She soon formed her own trio and gained fame in San Francisco's jazz, blues, and cabaret clubs of the 1970s and 80s. Over a 60-year career in music, this living legend has developed her own unique acoustic sound and style in Black Music - drawing from funk, blues, gospel, and straight ahead swingin' - and cultivated an audience that remains as diverse as her uplifting music. She has maintained a high level of musicianship in her groups, mentoring some of the Bay Area's brightest young talent including Benny Green, Marcus Shelby, and her daughter Kito Kamili. Her vocal proteges include international superstars Kehlani and Ledisi.
Miss Faye has shared stages and studios with Marvin Gaye, Taj Mahal, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Gene Ammons, Twista, Eric Gales, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Pharaoh Sanders, Joan Baez, Albert King, Bobby Hutcherson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Robert Randolph, Ledisi, Billy Hart, Pete Escovedo, Charles Brown, and Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson, among others.
Her discography is a testament to her long-standing standard of excellence in music, from her 1985 live album Alive at the Great American Music Hall, to her two double albums released this year on her own Getdown Records - Forever Dynamic and the all-star project Faye Sings The Blues.
Miss Faye is also a dedicated educator and community activist and founder of School of The Getdown. School of The Getdown has presented arts education and performance programs throughout the Bay Area for over 25 years, with the mission of celebrating Black arts and sharing these cultural traditions with diverse Bay Area communities, with particular attention towards youth and the Black community. School of The Getdown programs include an annual Youth Arts Camp, after school arts programs for youth, the annual Black Women’s Roots Festival, Black History Month programs in underserved schools, the annual Black Music Month Festival, masterclasses with visiting artists, and commissioned artistic works celebrating Black culture.
Faye Carol has been honored with the proclamation of a city-wide “Faye Carol Day” in the City of Berkeley and City of Oakland & inducted into the Oakland Walk of Fame, the Meridian Mississippi Walk of Fame, and the Pittsburg Entertainment & Arts Hall of Fame, and has received countless awards including the Bay Area Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award, Jefferson Award for Public Service, four Cabaret Gold Awards, Top Star Awards Entertainer of the Year, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commission in Traditional Arts, the Watler & Elise Haas Fund Creative Power Award, and the Comcast x Black Joy Parade Icons Among Us Award.
Tuck & Patti
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For over 45 years, the unique, genre-crossing vocal/guitar duo Tuck & Patti has cast its passionate musical spell worldwide, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs and the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists and singers. Their recording career took off with 1988's groundbreaking Tears of Joy. Now, 13 albums later, they have toured the world incessantly as a duo, appearing at times alongside Miles Davis, Count Basie, George Benson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and many others. They have long been regarded by musicians and critics as the standard for an improvising musical duo. Their music spans Duke Ellington, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix--rock, pop, jazz, gospel, blues, folk, world and classical--classics and originals, but inevitably finally just sounds like Tuck & Patti. Transcending categorization, Tuck & Patti are known for individual virtuosity in service of the greater goal of expressing love, hope and gratitude through their musical collaboration.
To understand Tuck & Patti, start with the wellspring of love within them, then their music begins to make perfect sense. Married 42 years, Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart continue to stoke the fires, not only of their own love, but also of their love of life and their passion for making music together. They have a long-standing tradition: Minimalist arrangements featuring Tuck's extraordinary virtuosity and Patti's rich mezzo soprano. Renowned for her remarkable ability to touch hearts directly with her voice, Patti is also the writer, arranger and producer. Without even blinking, Tuck-the- problem-solver brags, "Patti writes and arranges; I am just the orchestra."
Tuck and Patti have achieved a rare symbiotic musical relationship that sends critics scrambling for a reference point. They have been compared to every legendary duo you can imagine—from Fred & Ginger to the late Leonard Feather's ringing "Not since Ella Fitzgerald met Joe Pass on stage has there been so felicitious a mating as Tuck & Patti."
When they're not touring or recording, they teach as well as produce, record and mix other artists in their studio near San Francisco, part of their mission to use their expertise to help others realize their own dreams.
Paula West
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Paula West is an American jazz and cabaret singer known for her rich, powerful contralto voice and for her highly nuanced interpretations of an extraordinarily eclectic selection of songs that range from the Great American songbook to reinterpretations of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Lou Reed and Johnny Cash.
Ms. West has performed predominantly in clubs in San Francisco and New York, with additional performances in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and select European cities. For ten years she held a one-month residency at the Empire Plush Room at the York Hotel in San Francisco. She has had recurring engagements at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Mezzrow in New York as well as SF Jazz, Feinstein’s at The Nikko, and Yoshi’s in San Francisco. Her nights at the Algonquin Hotel’s famed Oak Room earned her three straight New York Magazine Nightlife Awards as “Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist.” The New York Times has been particularly vocal in their praise for Ms. West, singling out her “thickly textured voice [that] has ripened into a driving expressive force” and an “ever-deepening feel for the blues.” She has also performed at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, The White House, and Maison de la Musique in Paris.
Born into a Marine Corps family, Ms. West grew up in San Diego and later moved to San Francisco. She has performed at such venues as Yoshi's San Francisco, Empire Plush Room, and the Rrazz Room, and she gives annual shows at the Herbst Theatre. In New York, she has performed at Feinstein's at the Regency, the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Blue Note, the Iridium, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center. She has also been a featured soloist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Among her national engagements are performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Boston's Scullers, Jazz Aspen, and Spoleto Festival USA. She performed at the White House in a salute to American writers and has given engagements in Europe, Japan, and Israel. She has shared the bill with luminaries such as Rosemary Clooney, Jimmy Scott, Oscar Brown, Jr., Freddy Cole, Mose Allison, Mavis Staples, and Dave Frishberg. Ms. West has also worked with jazz greats Bobby Hutcherson, Bill Charlap, Mulgrew Miller, Frank Wess, Victor Lewis, Peter Washington, Regina Carter, Roy Haynes, Eric Reed, and Bruce Barth.
Rico Pabon
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An emcee whose artistry and activism are one in the same, Rico Pabón has been delivering poetic lyrics bound by themes of struggle and resilience for more than 25 years in the Bay Area. Raised in a home torn apart by drug abuse, Rico grew up moving between various cities in the Bay and New York, with a few stops in Boston, and at an early age discovered that writing helped to ease the pain and anxiety that he experienced daily, so he began writing profusely. Writing made him ask questions and seek answers, and his notebook became a window to a world beyond his own personal woes, politicizing him. He began to see that not only his home, but whole communities were falling apart because of addiction and trauma, and that not only him, but children everywhere were sometimes more afraid of living, than they were of dying.
By age 15, Rico found his voice as an emcee, starting his first group, Prophets of Rage, which was politically charged and full of fire, and Pabón hasn't slowed down since. He later became singer and emcee for critically acclaimed Afro Latin Fusion bands O-Maya and AguaLibre, whose blend of salsa, hip hop and reggae allowed them to share stages with international artists such as Damian and Stephen Marley, Ozomatli, Buju Banton, Femi Kuti, Zap Mama, Meshell N'degeocello, Maxi Priest, Sizzla, Run DMC, Wu Tang Clan, dead prez, Big Daddy Kane, and Kurtis Blow. Pabón has had his songs placed in nighttime television dramas "October Road" and "CSI: Miami" and he has appeared on numerous recordings and has shared the stage with an array of highly acclaimed artists, across many genres of music. He toured with Bay Area legend and Grammy nominated Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, where he rapped, sang, and also played minor percussion. He currently performs as an emcee, poet and singer with another Bay Area legend, and 5 time Grammy nominated latin jazz artist John Santos, and is currently finishing up an album produced entirely by Headnodic, of Crown City Rockers, which Rico says is his favorite album up to date.
His musical expressions have taken different shapes over the years, but no matter which musical configuration Rico Pabón finds himself in, his message has remained clear. He has has released 6 full length albums and has appeared on numerous compilations and collaborations garnering him much critical acclaim. A natural performer, Rico's vocal stamina, clarity and rhythm, combined with a passionate delivery and poetic lyrics make his energy on stage explosive and captivating.
Musician and historian John Santos says, "Rico is exceptional in many ways, highly creative and motivated, and deeply dedicated to social change through the arts. I've also observed him extensively, performing and teaching folks of all ages. His enthusiasm is both remarkable and contagious as he engages his audiences and students with his obvious passion and abilities to communicate on multi-levels. He has truly earned the respect of his peers and has inspired countless observers and participants through his commitment to the development of art and self-expression in our neighborhoods. To those of us of Puerto Rican descent, he is especially an unsung hero and treasure whom we proudly hold up as the face and voice of our community. In addition to the above-mentioned facts and observations, Rico's most impressive trait is his demeanor and dignity. One of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing."
Professor Kee
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Professor Kee is a multi-talented artist who engages her audience with her unique style of rapping. Multiple generations enjoy the diverse content that Professor Kee is passionate about sharing. Subject matters include cultural empowerment through the rich history of African American people, the celebration of the beauty of women, self love, and entrepreneurship.
With a solid background as a pianist, composer, and music teacher, Professor Kee began rapping when she was already a well established professional jazz musician based in the Bay Area, known as Kito Gamble. After deciding to branch out into producing hip hop, she was inspired to flow to the tracks that she originally created to produce for other artists. It was a natural evolution, as she had written poetry throughout her youth & always did love listening to hip-hop.
Her debut album as a rapper REPRESENT, was recorded under the name Sista Kee & was well received by music listeners of many different genres. Currently, the music of Professor Kee demonstrates her personal & artist evolution. The recent EP entitled WE REMEMBER GREATNESS & the 2024 release HAPPY 2024, features uplifting lyrics & original feel good music. It’s Black Friday Every Day, It’s Really Black Music, and Colorism Blues, are singles from her upcoming albums & can also be heard through her website.
Ian Kelly
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Ian Kelly is a rapper and storyteller from Oakland, CA, known for his soulful lyricism and commanding stage presence. His project KELLS IS D.E.A.D. was named one of KQED’s Top 10 Bay Area Albums, followed by Soulful Of It, which led to appearances on Sway in the Morning, Ebro’s Apple Music show, and performances alongside artists like Robert Glasper. His music has been featured on Madden 22 and Hulu’s Homeroom, and his 2024 EPs ART and A Summer Pack With Love continued to solidify his reputation as one of the Bay Area’s most compelling voices in hip-hop today!
Tia Nomore
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Oakland rapper Tia Nomore has been working the Bay Area circuit for a minute now. After years cutting her teeth at freestyle battles and cypher circles, Nomore's earned opening act slots for Princess Nokia, CupcakKe, and Cordae, as well as collaborations with Kehlani, IAMSU!, and Bay legend E-40. Her fast-paced yet breezy delivery has long marked her as a promising act to watch. Last fall, Nomore shared her latest album, Level, a package of optimistic and bubbly raps.
She was the lead in Savannah Leaf’s A24 drama “Earth Mama,” in which she delivered a critically acclaimed debut feature performance at the Sundance Film Festival as a struggling single mother.
On the music side, Nomore most recently released “Sauce” with Fat Tony. Previous tracks include “Drip” with Amen and Stoni, and “Nu Chain.” Her single “Hyphy” is featured in the Netflix film “A Day and a Night,” as was the track “Win/Win” in the streamer’s series “Raising Dion.”
Three things you should know about Tia are that she's got a crisp, pointed voice, a whole lot of 'tude, and the ability to spit fast. - SF Weekly
