By Staff Writer
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents The Reverend Shawn Amos on Friday, September 7 at 8:00pm, inaugurating the blackbox @ the edye at The Broad Stage, a series that transforms The Edye into a club featuring up-and-coming jazz and blues artists.
In addition to opening the series, this entire season is curated and hosted by The Reverend Shawn Amos. He, along with his house band, will perform at other shows during the season as well.
Amos’ distinctive blend of black roots music, R&B and stripped down rock n’ roll brings a bracing, soul-deep musical experience to audiences starved for authenticity.
“I derive a lot of satisfaction bringing people joy,” he says.
In the early 60s, Amos’ mother, Shirl-ee May, sang blues and jazz at Club Harlem — the storied Atlantic City nightspot home to a generation of legendary African American performers. Throughout the mid 20th century, jazz and blues clubs like Club Harlem became the center of urban American nightlife.
“No doubt, people, souls were being saved. It’s in the American rhythm and the rhyme. Jazz and blues is our music. It belongs to us. This music is ours. Jazz and blues is the tragedy and triumph of our shared history. It’s the continual battle of our current circumstance,” Shawn Amos wrote. “Jazz and blues cuts the shortest path from our heart to our head and up to a higher power. These deep grooves hold our fears, hopes and darkest demons. In this trying 21st century, jazz and blues reminds us of our interdependence.”
Amos’ performance will be followed by Sandra Booker singing Sarah Vaughan (October 5), Billy Valentine (November 2), Amy Keys (December 7), a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance (February 1), Mudbug Brass Band (March 1), Jennifer Keith Quintet (April 5) and Gabrielito (May 3).
Information, subscription packages and tickets priced $20 are available at thebroadstage.org or by calling (310) 434-3200, or visiting at the box office at 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica CA 90401 beginning three hours prior to performance.
blackbox @ the edye at The Broad Stage made possible in part by a generous gift from Ann Petersen.
