This year WCLK Jazz 91.9 FM celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Atlanta Jazz Festival will honor the station and Atlanta’s fabulous community of jazz artists by presenting a special concert event WCLK AT 50: Featuring Lil John Roberts with an Atlanta All-Star Band on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Atlanta is home to some of the best and most extraordinarily gifted artists in the world. Many of them perform in venues around the globe. Atlantans don’t often get a chance to see them in concert and appreciate their talents. This year, we’re excited to bring twenty-three of these artists together, and invite the community to enjoy an evening of music and celebration. Award-winning drummer Lil John Roberts will lead the Atlanta All-Star Band and Special Guests, DJ Kemit will add some grooves, and poet and writer Jon Goode will narrate the program with stories about the history and legacy of WCLK.
Meet some of the artists who will be performing:
- Kathleen Bertrand is a singer and songwriter whose performances have ranged from two Olympic Games, singing for two presidents, to appearances at jazz festivals worldwide. She toured and recorded as a featured vocalist with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers. Bertrand is the Executive Director of the BronzeLens Film Festival.
- Singer/songwriter Tony Hightower released his sophomore album, “LEGACY,” in 2022 which is dedicated to his late mother, R&B and jazz singer Theresa Hightower.
- Singer/songwriter Julie Dexter has shared the stage with Mint Condition, Caron Wheeler, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, Omar, Ledisi, Doug Carn, Third World, Maxi Priest, and others. In 2000 she launched her own record label, Ketch A Vibe.
- Cleveland P. Jones is a singer/songwriter who has toured internationally and opened for artists including Chaka Khan. He has released two albums and is composing new music to spread love and healing.
- Soul and jazz vocalist Rhonda Thomas has six solo CDs and a live DVD to her credit. She has shared the stage with Roy Ayers, Roberta Flack, Eric Roberson, Avery Sunshine, Frank McComb, Stephanie Mills, and others. From 1997-2008, Rhonda was a backup singer and soloist for soul music legend, Isaac Hayes.
- Dashill Smith is a trumpeter, composer, and vocalist. He’s performed extensively with Roy Ayers and shared the stage with Hugh Masekela, George Clinton, The Brand New Heavies, OutKast, Les Nubians, Dionne Farris, Roy Hargrove, and Common. Smith is a member of the supergroup, Biological Misfits, along with Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
- Alexandra Jackson is a singer and music instructor. She’s been a soloist with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center, sang the National Anthem for Barack Obama’s presidential rally, and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival.
- Imani-Grace Cooper is a songwriter and classically trained jazz vocalist who performs in venues around the world. Cooper advocates for the arts in education with a desire to spread mental, physical, and spiritual health through her cultural and music collective, Pyramid Projects.
- Drummer Lil John Roberts started his career with Hip Hop artists DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith, then recorded and toured with Dionne Farris, Xscape, Monica, The Goodie MOB, and Joi. At age 23, he toured with Janet Jackson. He has performed with Al Green, B.B. King, Josh Stone, Common, Elton John, Mary J. Blige, Mos Def, Patti Labelle, Prince, Queen Latifah, Michael Jackson, Sheila E., and Stevie Wonder. Roberts is a Professor at the Berklee College of Music.
- Bass guitarist Tres Gilbert has toured with artists TLC, 112, Kelly Price, New Edition, BBD, Johnny Gill, and The Heads of State. He’s performed at the BET and Soul Train Music Awards.
- Phil Davis is a pianist, composer, and producer. He’s performed with Sheila E, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Prince, Boney James and Erykah Badu. He’s an Assistant Professor at Clark Atlanta University’s Music Department.
- Guitarist Derek Scott has performed and/or recorded with Boys II Men, TLC, Pink, Cee-Lo Green, Alex Bugnon, Jeff Lorber, George Duke, and Peabo Bryson.
- Saxophonist Kebbi Williams leads the Wolfpack ATL, a horn heavy collective of jazz musicians, is the founder of Music in the Park, and an original member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He’s performed with artists including OutKast, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Oteil Burbidge and Mos Def.
- Trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden began his career as a sideman with big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. He’s performed with artists including Barry White, The Moody Blues, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, and Aretha Franklin. Gransden has released 19 CDs.
- Trumpeter Melvin Jones’ first professional recording was on TLC’s Fanmail album, notably on their smash hit, “No Scrubs.” Since that time, he’s performed on Tyler Perry’s tours, and with artists including PJ Morton, Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holliday, Stevie Wonder, Arrested Development, Missy Elliott, and others.
Lil John told me he’s looking forward to taking a trip down memory lane and performing some of the songs that have been featured on WCLK over the last 50 years. Under his direction, the exhilarating 90-minute musical journey will highlight some of the most endearing jazz music from the 1930s through today. Classic songs like “Maiden Voyage,” “I Got Rhythm,” “So What,” and “Take 5” will be performed as well as modern compositions “Watermelon Man,” “Everybody Loves The Sunshine,” “Dominoes” and “Rise.”
The concert is co-produced by Jamah Ahmad, Ray Cornelius and Lil John Roberts.
For more information or to reserve tickets, click here.
Vey helpful article and informative.