Jackson Wards’s dynamic mix of local entertainers — from young performers to seasoned players, local vocalists, dancers and ensembles — wow the crowds.
Richmond Youth Jazz Guild
At last year’s 2nd Street Festival, Dexter Moses delighted in talking to a young saxophonist who performed there with a group of school-aged Jazz musicians. One year later at the same event, it was 12 year-old Moses’ turn to take to the stage with his saxophone. Both young performers got the gig-and the chops they displayed-through their participation in the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild.
Artistic Director Ashby Anderson, an accomplished jazz pianist and composer, founded the Guild in 2008 to provide children from throughout the Richmond area with a musical education that goes far beyond scales and chords.
“I hear a desire to express,” Anderson notes of his students, “There’s something they’re trying to express that they can’t get to any other way.”
The Guild, housed at the Muse Creative Workspace in a converted Shockoe Bottom warehouse, offers students of ages six through 18 a curriculum of rigorous musical instruction, as well as access to mentors, guidance toward professional development, and the opportunity to explore the unique significance and history of Jazz.
“Jazz is the greatest music in the world,” Anderson remarks, “It expresses all cultures-it’s non-verbal communication at its best.”
Emphasizing the value of preserving this heritage for younger generations, Program Director Terri Anderson notes, “We want to let them know that this is American music. We want to make sure that kids who grow up here in the US understand the roots,” she adds, “this is just another way to ensure that people are still listening to Duke Ellington.”
Drawn together by their zeal for fitness and dance, the Spicy Divas are a diverse group of women who spread the joys and benefits of line dancing to crowds at events. “We all share a love of wellness and doing it through dance just adds flavor and fun,” explains Jen Acome.
Led by La Toria Tookes, a fitness instructor and president of the organization, The Spicy Divas have appeared twice at the 2nd Street Festival, whose crowd is, “always very excited and ready to interact,” according to Acome. Initially formed in 2009 when the women entered a line dancing competition (which they won), the group performs and holds classes throughout the area. Recently, they’ve been invited to make appearances in Hampton and Charlotte, NC.
Guild students gain the important socializing experience of performing in a group. “It’s healthy competition,” comments Dexter Moses’ mother, Gwyn Griffin, “They hold each player accountable for holding their tune.” But they also benefit from qualities specific to the genre, a primary example of which is the tradition of improvisation in Jazz. Through his program, Anderson explains, “They learn to play an instrument, improvise, and participate in a group setting. They can apply those experiences to any endeavor.”
The Guild, while still young, already boasts some notable accomplishments. Through its partnership with The Berklee City Music Network, The Jazz Guild has helped a number of students secure scholarships to participate in The Berklee College of Music’s summer program in Boston. And this year trombonist Myrish Spell became the Guild’s first recipient of a four-year scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. (Having lost a trombonist, Anderson points out, the Guild is need of a replacement. “We need brass. We need more trombones, trumpets, and basses.”)
This year, the Guild will embark upon a couple of new endeavors. Its Big Band will enter the Essentially Ellington Competition, for which they will study and perform music distributed by Jazz at Lincoln Center and composed by such Jazz legends as Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The Guild will also submit entries in a number of categories for Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards.
Through their achievements, ambitions, and performances, the students of the Guild demonstrate the hard work they invest into their musical studies. The discipline, it appears, is fueled by their shared passion. “Jazz really changes your focus, where you really see the possibilities,” Anderson explains.
And by all appearances, his enthusiasm has proven infectious to his students.
Debo Dabney
A bit of a virtuoso in the 2nd Street Festival line-up is Debo Dabney who contributes more than just his talent on the keys and flair for multiple genres to the spirit of the event.
Dabney-who appeared at this year’s festival with his own band, Debo Dabney and the Happy Band, and The Remedy-has graced the stages of the annual Jackson Ward celebration for all of its 23 years. Recalling the roots of his musical evolution, Dabney is generous in sharing the history and his insights into the vibrant community to which the event is dedicated.
Describing his childhood exposure to 2nd Street, Dabney says that he would join his father to collect money from the “piccolos” (or jukeboxes) that his uncle provided to establishments throughout the Richmond area and beyond. “2nd Street was honestly like Harlem,” he explains of that bygone era, “People would walk the streets all night long.”
When his uncle was employed booking bands at the Mosque, which would later become known as the Landmark, Dabney encountered such R&B luminaries as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. “My father used to pick them up,” explains Dabney, “and I got to interact with them. That pulled me in the direction of wanting to be a musician.”
Dabney, who began his musical studies at around the age of eight with trumpet-for which he learned he had little affinity-and piano, has remained steadily employed in the music business for decades. He attributes the success and longevity of his career, which has included a touring gig with The Average White Band, to his stylistic adaptability and solid personal convictions that have kept him grounded in an industry riddled with potential pitfalls. “I’m 60 years old and have never had a job,” he points out.
The Virginia State University Gospel Chorale
Based in Petersburg and enjoyed throughout the globe, the Virginia State University Gospel Chorale brought its world-class performance to the streets of Jackson Ward this year.
“It’s always nice to know that a church is not just four walls and a roof,” remarks Business Manager Michael Rainey of the Chorale’s 2nd Street Festival debut.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Chorale-originally named the Virginia State College Choir-which was founded in 1971 by Larry Bland and Jackie Ruffin. In its distinguished history, the choir has toured throughout North America and Europe and has enjoyed the audience of the last two popes at the Pope’s Vatican Christmas Concert.
The Chorale, recognized for both its sound and its choreography, took first place and was awarded top honors in 11 of 13 categories at the Black Music Conference Choir Competition in 2003.
Currently boasting a membership of roughly 120, the VSU Gospel Chorale makes appearances throughout the tri-city area and will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a concert on November 14.
For more information visit www.vsugospelchorale.com or the Chorale’s Facebook page.
The Remedy
With lead singer Marrell Elam at its helm, The Remedy’s repertoire covers Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop, and “whatever moves the crowd.” Elam, along with fellow vocalist Sherry Goodlowe and a talented group of musicians, approach their performances with open minds and a sense of atmosphere.
“That’s why we call it The Remedy,” he explains, “We provide exactly what that audience wants and needs.”
Elam has been cultivating his vocal versatility since he was eight, when he began singing in church choirs and school choruses. He performed with a Jazz ensemble and a number of Contemporary Gospel choirs while he attended James Madison University and, after meeting his mentor (and keyboard player) Debo Dabney in 2009, he formed The Remedy.
The Remedy made its 2nd Street Festival debut in 2010 and returned for another appearance this year.
Seeking a regular venue for The Remedy’s crowd-pleasing brand of entertainment, Elam says he expects to start making appearances at a local club early next year. “My main focus is dance and making sure that everyone is having a good time and forgetting about their stresses.”
The Firehawks Band
Like many musicians, the members of The Firehawks Band have sacrificed precious weekend hours to rehearse. But unlike many other bands, The Firehawks have to get to bed early on school nights.
Inspired by Earth, Wind and Fire, Richard D’Abreu, III, formed the band in 2008 when he was eight years old. Richard’s mother, Makeba D’Abreu patiently recalls the early days.
“After many long months and attempts to reach out to friends to participate in a ‘play date’ in our basement music studio, Richard formed a band with three other boys,” she says.
Having suffered through a period of “screaming and discordant notes,” Richard’s parents encouraged their son to enlist budding musicians who would take a more serious approach to their instruments.
In April of 2010, the band’s current line-up of four ten-year-olds and one 11-year-old debuted with “Let’s Groove Tonight” at their school’s talent show and received a standing ovation. From that moment on, demand for The Firehawks has kept the band busy with gigs throughout the Richmond area, including appearances at the 2nd Street Festival for the last two years.