Rock is Black music. We are its heirs...
Thanks to everyone who came through to the BRC's 25th Anniversary party last Friday, Jan 21 @ Gibson Showroom.
It was truly amazing.
The bands were killer, down to a surprise performance by the inimitable Melvin Van Peeples wid Laxative. Also owning the stage were a new generation of Black rock innovators from ROCK 'N' ROLL REPARATIONS, VOL 2: King Aswad, Lachi, Fifth Nation, Analogue Transit, Pillow Theory, Ajo and HelixDown. And who better to end such an awesome homage to 25 years serving the avant-negro, than a show-stopping set from OG BRC luminaries Burnt Sugar.
Also in the house: Craig Street, Garland Jeffreys, Greg Tate, Vernon Reid, Will Calhoun, Jimmy Saal, Bill Bragin, Jared Nickerson, Bruce Mack, Wayne Livingston, Kelvyn Bell, Don Eversley, Gene Williams, Melvin Gibbs, Michael Hill, Stan, Mike, Kumasi, and AJ of D-Xtreme, Sophia Ramos, Maya Azucena, Gordon Chambers, California King, CX Kidtronik, Kenee Lee, Dave Dawson, Malik Vassell, T-Bone Motta, Val Ghent, Rob Fields, Sherise Martin, Fumi (thx for helping us clean up), Celeste of Harlem Brewing Company, Fiona Bloom, Allen Rothman and Carolyn, Daniel Chavis, Danny Chavis, Honeychild Coleman, Karla Schickele, Marianne Pillsbury, and so many others we found it hard to keep track (please forgive us if we forgot to list you here!).
We loved every minute of it and hope to do it again...
Thanks to Harlem Brewing Company for donating and serving up the SUGAR HILL GOLDEN ALE
Thanks to Stefanie Kelly for cooking up and dishing out the tasty vittles
Thanks to Gibson Showroom and Mike and Danny for helping everything be and sound lovely.
SCREW U.P.S. for holding the compilation CDs hostage because they let their employees not deliver on their job descriptions. Bastards...
Don't disappear on us. Stay in touch. Please feel free to email us at ldavis@blackrockcoalition.org.
Info
The Black Rock Coalition (BRC), now celebrating its 25th year, is an all-out, member-supported, volunteer-driven organization. Founded by Vernon Reid, Greg Tate and Konda Mason to champion musicians of African descent whose music defies mainstream pigeonholes and cultural preconceptions, the BRC has grown into an impressive collective of activists, artists, writers, producers, and fans. Intent on maximizing exposure and providing resources for inventive Black musicians, the BRC remains the only national non-profit org dedicated to reclaiming the rock 'n' roll legacy of our African-American ancestors by fully supporting their musical heirs.
For the past quarter of a century, the members of this altruistic group have worked tirelessly to champion the cause of progressive Black artists--famous and unknown--who are doing their thing regardless of what you or I think about it.
For information on membership, the BRC Orchestra, or the organization's history, visit blackrockcoalition.org or follow us on facebook or twitter.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to PO Box 1054, New York, NY 10276.