Music

The Colour of Music Festival announces the fifth annual Colour of Music Festival October 18-22, 2017 offering a musical kaleidoscope showcasing the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture at various venues in historic Charleston, South Carolina. Since 2013 the Colour of Music Festival (COMF) has brought international, national, and regional…

By Barney Blakeney Dr. Thaddeus John Bell and the team of the Lowcountry Jazz Festival are anticipating another successful event as the 9th annual musical extravaganza swings into play September 1-3. Bell expects this year’s festival to exceed the reputation that it’s earned in previous years as the premier jazz concert event in the state.…

Walter Brown creates the perfect soundtrack for your summer with his new album—Saturdaze. The LP produced by the Free Thinkers Union music group drops June 24. Brown’s artistry has been inspired and empowered by what this Mt. Pleasant, SC native calls “rock bottom.” He dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, and later served a five…

By Hakim Abdul-Ali The Spoleto Festival USA has a reputation of showcasing some of the world’s greatest entertainers and performers covering many genres. This year’s programmatic format was definitely a continuation of that process with the inclusion of jazz saxophonist giant Charles Lloyd, tap dancer Ayodele Casel and the esteemed pianist Henry Butler and trumpeter…

By Hakim Abdul-Ali Saturday night, June 3, 2017, at the College of Charleston’s famous outdoor Cistern was an invigorating and simmering place to be at if you were in attendance while witnessing Terence Blanchard and his The E-Collective band. It was all of that and a bag of chips as the hip and colloquial street…

By Hakim Abdul-Ali      The sounds of Afro-Cuban soul hit the Spoleto Festival USA 2017 stage last Saturday night with the appearance of the Pedrito Martinez Group. This dynamic quartet brought traditional and soulful rhythms, mixed with other musical vibrations, to the Spoleto audience with a soulful exuberance that hasn’t been seen nor heard…

The benefits of music education are endless. Studies have associated music education with higher test scores, improved concentration and more. But if you are a parent, you probably know how it goes: many children will begin a music program with enthusiasm, only to complain about practicing a short time later, sometimes even asking to quit.…

By Erica Veal [Twitter: @Indigo_Grio | FB: facebook.com/erica.veal.7 | Instagram: Indigo_Grio] Charleston is losing a dedicated community organizer and a talented musician. Anjali Naik, known by the stage name Diaspoura, is about to graduate from the College of Charleston and finished off her last live show as a local to a standing ovation at the Charleston…

By Natalie Prioleau, contributing writer New hip-hop artist Quis KingSoul has been reigning over the ears of listeners from the upper to lower regions of South Carolina since the debut of his mixtape, “Godis.” Following the release of his soulful, romantic hit single, “Girrrl” back in December of 2016, the mixtape embodies Quis’ life journey…