UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW

R.I.P.

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

Dick Gregory

AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017 VOL. 6 NO. 21

1932 - 2017

The civil rights icon’s final thoughts

Don’t Miss

K. RUCKER PRODUCTION & BRILLIANT MUSIQ PRESENT “PRIDE OF AUGUSTA” • DIVANTE JONES • SEPT 2

2 UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

SportsView

ARC’S VENUS SANDERS swings at the pitch during a softball game against Westside at the the newly-built ARC field. The Lady Patriots crushed the Lady Musketeers 16-1 after three innings of play during an afternoon of soaring outdoor tempertures.

(August 16, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

UPW Urban Pro Weekly Hephzibah, GA 30815

A GLENN HILLS VOLLEYBALL PLAYER passes the ball during a game against A.R. Johnson at the Spartans gym. ARJ defeated Glenn Hills 2-0. (August 16, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports

URBAN PRO WEEKLY Publisher URBAN PRO WEEKLY MEDIA 706-306-4647 urbanpromedia@yahoo.com

CEO / Sales FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com

Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist

3

BOLD PROPOSAL: To build new arena at old Regency Mall site The site of the former Regency Mall in South Augusta has been vacant for decades. A proposal to use the site for planned $110 million civic center is sure to spark a public debate. Downtown boosters are sure to lobby hard to defeat the South Augusta location. Photo by Vincent Hobbs.

By Frederick J. Benjamin Sr, UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The proposal to locate a new civic center outside of the downtown area has prompted as much anger, outrage and indignation as the proposal to remove Confederate monuments from their “sacred” perches around the area.

Earlier this week, the AugustaRichmond Coliseum Authority voted to make the former Regency Mall, the “preferred site” for the new civic center.

The howls of outrage and disbelief from various quarters could be heard well south of Gordon Highway, where most of the city’s residents call home.

While the actual Regency Mall location raises a host of, as yet, unanswered questions, the concept of locating the new construction somewhere in South Augusta has solid support.

Chief among those supporters is Augusta mayor Hardie Davis who earlier in the week applauded the Coliseum Authorities “visionary leadership.”

In a media statement on Tuesday, Davis said, “Earlier today, the Coliseum

Authority voted to build a new civic center where the Regency Mall once stood. In choosing this location, which is in the geographic center of our county, the Coliseum Authority has exhibited visionary leadership that will create a bright and promising future for our entire community. I applaud this monumental decision and look forward to continued collaboration with the Coliseum Authority and Commission to turn this shared vision for our new arena, #SOGO, and all of Augusta into a reality.”

Coliseum Authority Vice Chairman Brad Usry was swift in his denunciation of the proposed move.

“It makes no sense to leave downtown now,” Usry told the Augusta Chronicle. “Now we finally got hotels, private investment, critical mass coming with the Miller Theater and now we’re talking about leaving downtown?”

But while the proposed SOGO (South of Gordon Highway) initiative continues to be heresy on behalf of the city’s unofficial downtown development cheerleaders, it has solid support from some elected office holders.

Commissioner Marion Williams, while reserving a definitive response on the actual Regency Mall locations, feels that areas outside of downtown deserve serious consideration.

“I support a southside location,” Williams told UrbanProWeekly. “A southside location will spur growth.

When you’re growing you need to think about all parts of the city, not just for now, but in the future as well.”

Williams says there are still too many details that need to be worked out in consideration of the Regency Mall location. Will the city purchase or lease the land? What other restrictions or obligations would the city be subject to at the Regency Mall location? Those are just some of the considerations that Williams says must be explained.

Perhaps some of that will be explained in a Friday, August 25 meeting that Mayor Davis has planned for the media in order to discuss his vision for South Augusta.

According to Davis, negotiations with the owners of Regency Mall, have led to their offer to the city of a 35-year lease for $1 per year.

Southside Commissioner Andrew Jefferson is another elected official who is onboard with a SOGO location for the new civic center.

Jefferson touted the major roadways that criss-cross the Gordon Highway corridor and doesn’t feel that the downtown area should receive a “lock” on all major economic development in the area.

Jefferson said that he will wait for more details to emerge from the Coliseum Authority in regards to any leasing agreement with the owners of Regency Mall.

Jefferson also said that, he had always been under the impression that a new civic center would replace the current one as opposed to being another site to manage along with the current downtown facilities.

The Coliseum Authority is proposing a 10,000 - plus seat arena with a $110 million price tag.

Any proposed location, downtown or otherwise, has to be approved by a majority of the Augusta commission. A time line for that approval has yet to be determined.

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

THE CITY

UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

4

Dick Gregory 1932 - 2017

IN PASSING

Dick Gregory, the pioneering satirist who transformed cool humor into a barbed force for civil rights in the 1960s, then veered from his craft for a life devoted to protest and fasting in the name of assorted social causes, health regimens and conspiracy theories, died Saturday in Washington. He was 84.

A policeman frisks human rights activist Dick Gregory following his arrest while picketing the South African embassy in Washington, Dec. 25, 1977. Gregory, and wife Lillian, were charged with demonstrating within 500 feet of an embassy. The two, along with a handful of supporters were protesting the South African regime’s treatment of blacks. AP

Dick Gregory mined humor out of the struggle

Dick Gregory:

In his own words a few days before his death on Aug. 19 As I approach my 85th revolution around the sun this year, I wonder why it has been so difficult for humankind to be kind. So difficult to be loving and lovable. For my militant brothers and sisters, please don’t misconstrue loving and lovable as weak or submissive.

Love will always be triumphant over hate. I know I will not be here forever, nor do I desire to be. I have seen progress like most cannot appreciate because they were not there to bear witness.

I dedicated my life to the movement. By doing so, I never thought I’d still be here. So many of my friends are not here. They were cut down by a system of hatred and evil. If they were here, they’d see the progress that I see.

The reality is far from perfect, but profoundly better than what daily reality was for my generation. Young folks, if you are wise, you would talk less and spend more time listening to the elders who saw evil up front and personal everyday. #howlong I’ve been asking this question for over 40 years! How long before be realize our Universal God given potential? We have made immeasurable progress that cannot be debated. That said, we still have a long way to go. I have no desire to see this all the way through, the dreams I dreamed about 60 years ago have definitively been realized.

To the young folks of all ethnicities I say, #staywoke not as a catchphrase but as a lifestyle. Most of the things that are killing us are in our minds and our daily routines. The way we think, the “food” we eat and the water we drink or so often don’t drink. While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the bottom of my heart, I say, #staywoke.

— Love you to life, Dick Gregory

Early in his career, Mr. Gregory insisted in interviews that his first order of business onstage was to get laughs, not to change how white America treated Negroes (the accepted word for African-Americans at the time). “Humor can no more find the solution to race problems than it can cure cancer,” he said. Nonetheless, as the civil rights movement was kicking into high gear, whites who caught his club act or listened to his routines on records came away with a deeper feel for the nation’s shameful racial history.

Mr. Gregory was a breakthrough performer in his appeal to whites — a crossover star, in contrast to veteran black comedians like Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley and

Slappy White, whose earthy, pungent humor was mainly confined to black clubs on the so-called chitlin circuit.

Though he clearly seethed over the repression of blacks, he resorted to neither scoldings nor lectures when playing big-time rooms like the hungry i in San Francisco or the Village Gate in New York.

Rather, he won audiences over with wry observations about the country’s racial chasm.

He would plant himself on a stool, the picture of insouciance in a three-button suit and dark tie, dragging slowly on a cigarette, which he used as a punctuation mark.

From that perch he would bid America to look in the mirror, and to laugh at itself.

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

e

5

THE STAFF OF K. RUCKER PRODUCTION LLC pose for a photo at the Augusta Common. (L-R) - Michael Sapp/CFO, Daniel Sapp Jr./COO, Kristopher Rucker/CEO, Jon Owens/Matchmaker. (August 21, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Restoring Pride To Augusta: K.Rucker Production Professional boxing and music go together well. Augustans will get the opportunity to enjoy both at K. Rucker Production’s “Pride of Augusta” boxing event on September 2 at Lucy C. Laney High School.

The event will feature Divante “The Dominator” Jones and four other Augusta fighters. K. Rucker Production has partnered with Daniel Sapp of Brilliant Musiq to construct and promote professional boxing events with musical performances by professional artists. The promoters have announced they will be donating some of the proceeds back to Laney High School.

UPW caught up with Kristopher Rucker, CEO, of K. Rucker Production to find out more.

When and where was K Rucker Production created?

With me always being a fan of professional boxing, I always knew i wanted to be involved with the sport in some form or fashion. A childhood friend of mine became a professional boxer and i vowed to be his promoter. So after receiving my Business Management and Accounting degree I was blessed with the opportunity to create K RUCKER PRODUCTION LLC February 2017 to promote professional boxing.

What kind of events does K Rucker Production promote?

We promote positively charged professional boxing events that will not only employ individuals as well as highlight our local businesses,

athletes and musicians. We want to be a motivation to the youth (Our Future) to involve themselves with extracurricular activities that’ll challenge and stimulate the mind, body and build character.

Can you tell us a little about Brilliant MusiQ and why you’re working with them.

Brilliant Musiq is an independent entertainment company founded by 2 x grammy nominated music educator Daniel D.U.B. Sapp. They specialize in artist development, production, songwriting, recording and music publishing. Brilliant MusiQ will be providing the live entertainment for our various events. I felt with Mr Sapp and I sharing the same vision, along with us being childhood friends, it was only right we

started working together.

Tell us about your next event coming up on September 2.

By the Grace of God we’re heading into our 2nd event this year.

“Pride of Augusta.” This particular event will highlight 4 professional boxers from Augusta Georgia along with 4 other action packed bouts!

We will be donating a percentage of the proceeds back to Lucy C. Laney High School where the event will be held.

Tell us how K. Productions and Brilliant MusiQ came up with the idea for Augusta.

With Mr Sapp being a 2x Grammy Nominated Music Educator, the idea basically “dropped out heaven” so to speak lol.

UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

6

Thomson High School running back Tyrek Braswell celebrates with a teammate after scoring a touchdown against Laney at the Wildcats stadium.

Braswell, a senior, achieved 16 carries, 2 touchdowns and 134 rushing yards. The Bulldogs devoured the Wildcats 50- 0 in the final score. (August 18, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal Laney football players rush onto the field at the start of a game against Thomson at the Wildcats stadium.

The Bulldogs devoured the Wildcats 50- 0 in the final score.

August 18, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

H.S. Sports Thomson vs. Laney

7 UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017 Laney cheerleaders perform a cheer routine during a game against Thomson at the Wildcats stadium. The Bulldogs devoured the Wildcats 50-0 in the final score. August 18, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal Laney wide receiver Jacquez Jones keeps a grip on the ball after being tackled by Thomson linebacker Jalek Nicholson during a game at the Wildcats stadium.

The Bulldogs devoured the Wildcats 50-0 in the final score.

August 18, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

8

MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin CONFEDERATE RELICS TURN COMMISSIONERS INTO COWARDS

Why won’t leaders stand against monuments?

T

here’s an old saying about the dangers of not knowing one’s roots: “Those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it.”

Maybe that’s why, in 2017, America still feels like the Confederate South of the mid-1800s.

Of course, any history book or simple Google search can tell me that the confederates lost the Civil War in 1865. Thing is, it’s hard to tell with all of the confederate monuments and memories in plain sight.

There’s one monument in the heart of downtown, on the 700 block of Broad Street.

Among its lowlights: “No name rose so white and fair. None fell so pure of crime.”

I guess slavery wasn’t a crime, then.

A short 5- to 10-minute trip down the street and across the Savannah River to Calhoun Park in North Augusta, S.C. will take us to another confederate monument. The obelisk in question honors Thomas McKie Meriwether: “In life he exemplified the highest-ideal of Anglo-Saxon civilization.

By his death he assured to the children of his beloved land the supremacy of that ideal.”

It should go without saying that there’s no place in our society today for these racist ideals. Yet here they are, disrespectfully in front of our faces.

LETTERS The reason believers in white supremacy are becoming unhinged is because they have been traumatized by a government report. A January 2017, VOX. com article captioned, White fear of demographic change is a powerful psychological force, stated, “In August 2008, the Census Bureau released a report which predicted by 2050, minorities would make up more than 50 percent of the population and become the majority.” Moreover, when Yale

When I think about the confederate south, I think about oppression. I think about slavery. I think about the following period of Reconstruction, where Black people still were not able to gain a foothold in society. As a matter of fact, the “hero” Meriwether was honored for his role in what is known as the Hamburg Massacre.

The violent tragedy began after a group of white men sought to intimidate Blacks who wanted to vote.

Yep, that’s right. There’s a monument in North Augusta standing as we speak that highlights the confederacy, as well as voter suppression.

Sad to say, confederate ideologies have been in the news ever since a handful of knuckleheads went down to their local hardware or department store and marched with a few tiki torches at the University of Virginia.

One of the few bright sides to that hateful display has been a nationwide response to tear down confederate statues. All over the country, in the light of day and in the dead of night, these participation trophies to honor the losers of the Civil War have been rightfully struck down.

Too bad this hasn’t happened locally.

Now, it’s one thing to be silent on the issue. It’s another issue entirely for a couple of Black commissioners on a majority Black governing board in a majority Black city to make these types of comments.

“You ought to let sleeping dogs sleep,” is what Super District 9 Commissioner Marion Williams said to a local newspaper — a local newspaper that, ironically enough, happens to be across the street from the confederate monument at the 700 block of Broad Street. “When you get that type of conversation started, it doesn’t help. We talk at it, we don’t talk about it” and ultimately, “it’s going to result in some violence.”

Wait, so Commissioner Williams can talk tough when it comes to sagging pants, but he’s as quiet as a church mouse when it comes to confederate monuments? Pathetic.

Super District 2 Commissioner Dennis Williams chimed in as well: “Personally I don’t have a problem with the monument,” he said.

“I understood what the monuments were for – those are symbols of past history and hopefully a constant reminder to our community never to allow our community to get in that type of situation again.”

This brand of politics cripples and discourages the community. If we can’t get Black leaders to speak out against a moral wrong, how in the word can we get them to speak boldly on more complex issues such as income inequality?

It is important for us, at this very moment, to understand what fuels supremacy. In this case, it isn’t just about a culture of misinformation

and misplaced glory. It is about leaders with an inferiority complex who feel as if their hands are tied by the confederate ghosts of the past — and the supremacist stakeholders of the present.

Really, the commissioners had nothing to lose. Their voting leads and voting bases are strong. Even with the understanding that most of these putrid monuments are protected under state law, Kennesaw’s local government still made a resolution that challenged the state legislature to allow local municipalities to vote on the monuments.

With all of the racial, social and political unrest in our country, now is the time for leaders, not losers. We need men of courage, not cowards.

When it comes to the ghosts of the confederacy, an old movie quote comes to mind: “I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghost!”

We need the ghostbusters right now. And while we’re at it, we need some myth busters as well.

Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference.” The podcast is available at soundcloud.com/makinadifference. He can be reached via email at makinadifferenceshow@ gmail.com or via text at (803) 2702331. His commentary on the James Brown Arena’s possible move to South Augusta can be viewed at VersesAndTiles.com.

Are white Americans traumatized? psychologist Jennifer Richeson heard about the report on NPR (National Public Radio), she remembers thinking, “This is probably freaking somebody out.” By “somebody” she means white people.

The article went on to say, Richeson’s studies on interracial interactions had taught her that when (white) people are in the majority, the sense of their race is dormant. But the prospect of being in the minority can sudden-

ly make white identity – and all the historical privilege that comes with it – salient (most important). And, she guessed, the prospect of losing majority status was likely to make (white) people uneasy.”

Indeed, a result of this uneasiness was explained in an August 19, 2017, Guardian article captioned, The storm around America’s statues isn’t about history. It’s about whiteness. The article stated, “That (confederate) statue

represents an idea of whiteness they refuse to relinquish; it is a part of a politics that trades on fears, ongoing cultural wars that scapegoat black and brown people and policy decisions deeply rooted in racial animus.”

Therefore, it is time for the white supremacist to let go and practice the biblical principle which says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

We are the Church

What does the church mean to you? Is it a beautiful, eloquent structure with stained-glass colored windows and perched steeples? In a physical sense, it is just that. Spiritually, however; it means much more than you probably know.

Who is the church? The church is not a building. It is internal, and not external. People are the church; and they should represent Jesus Christ. “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” (Acts 2:44).

We are to bring honor and glory to God through serving, worshipping, and obeying Him. Our lives should reflect kindness, compassion, sincerity, love, and show a sense of dignity

Bulletin Board The Women’s Ministry of Runs Missionary Baptist Church, 717 Williston Rd, Beech Island, SC invites you to their Annual Women’s Conference August 25th through August 27th.

• Friday, August 25th is a Night of Elegance formal affair at the North Augusta Community Center. Tickets for formal affair are $20.00 per person and $35.00 per couple.

• Saturday, August 26th at 9 am will hold workshop with guest speakers Minister CoShendra Jackson of Mr. Zion Baptist Church and Minister Nicole Cummings of Friendship Baptist Church.

• Sunday, August 27th at 8am, Rev. Natasha Ramsey of Sharon Baptist. Church will be our guest minister. All welcome on Sunday.

Contact Carolyn Neal at 803-257-4708 or Tonya Bryant at 803-634-1972 for tickets or more info.

amongst ourselves and to others. You must know and understand your purpose in Christ. It is dangerous to merely exist. We cannot live, and not be responsible to a higher calling. The church structurally, is an inanimate object. It has no heart, nor does it have a soul. So you see: We Are The

9 Church! God has a purpose for you. Don’t let reality interfere with that. Represent Christ wholeheartedly, and not those things of the world. Stay away from yourselves. ­— T.K. Brown Jr.

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

LETTERS

UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

10

Alumni and Friends Chefs Showcase Augusta Mini Theatre Arts and Life Skills School presents 16th annual Alumni and Friends Chefs Showcase Sunday, October 22, 2017 • 2 pm Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes 103 Diamond Lakes Way – Hephzibah, GA FEATURING 25 CHEFS, CATERERS AND RESTAURANTS. For more information visit www.augustaminitheatre.com or 2548 Deans Bridge Road – Augusta, GA 30906 or call 706-722-0598.

Arts in the Heart Festival Badges on sale now The 37th Annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council and the City of Augusta, announces advanced badge sales for festival admission.

Badges became available starting on August 8 at State Bank locations, Vintage Ooollee in downtown Augusta, and at New Moon in Aiken.

You can also buy tickets online at www.artsintheheartofaugusta.com, which will be redeemable for badges at festival ticket gates. Badges are good for the entire weekend of the festival and cost $7 in advance, $12 at

the gate.

Festivities will take place at the Augusta Common. The Festival will comprise the Global Food Village with authentic international foods from 25 countries; a Fine Arts and Crafts Market with over 130 juried fine arts and crafts booths; an interactive Family Area; a Young Artists Market where school-aged artists sell their work; five stages stacked with live local and regional talent, and a craft beer garden. Stage schedules, fine arts and crafts market lineup, and global village menus available soon!

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA PUBLIC TRANSIT DEPARTMENT DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE TRIENNIAL OVERALL GOAL & GOAL-SETTING METHODOLOGY REPORT FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2018-2020 In accordance with 49 CFR §26, the Augusta Public Transit Department (APT) has established a proposed overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal on its Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assisted contracts for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2018-2020 as follows: • For federally-assisted transit contracts, the proposed overall DBE goal is 10% with the entire amount projected to be met through race-neutral measures.

The goal statement and methodology will be available for review and comments for thirty (30) days from the date of this notice Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm at the following locations: • Augusta Public Transit Department, 1535 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30904 • Augusta Georgia Compliance Department 535 Telfair Street, Suite 710, Augusta, GA 30901 • Clerk of Commission, 535 Telfair Street, Suite 220, Augusta, GA 30901 • Online at www.augustaga.gov The Augusta Compliance Department will accept comments on the goal for 30 days from the date of this notice. The proposed overall DBE goal of 10% may be adjusted by the comments received within the 30 days.

Comments must be submitted by August 31, 2017, in writing via mail, fax, or email to: Attention: Kellie Irving, DBE Liaison Officer Augusta, Georgia Compliance Department 535 Telfair Street, Suite 710 Augusta, Georgia 30901 Email address: kirving@augustaga.gov Fax number: (706) 823-4395

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY WE TAKE

• Georgia medicaid • Insurance plans • Charge cards • WIC vouchers

And to: U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration | Region IV Attention: Dee Foster Regional Civil Rights Office 230 Peachtree Street NW Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Marshall Curtis, Pharmacist/Owner Baron Curtis, Pharmacist

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

706-722-7355

Stress Physical Inactivity amily History of Cardiovascular disease Obesity Stress Physical Inactivity Diabetes Family History of Cardiovascular disease High Blood Pressure Obesity Diabetes High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Cigarette Smoking High Cholesterol Cigarette Smoking

HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK East Central Health District HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK Hypertension Management Outreach Program East Central Health District Hypertension Management Outreach Program

Richmond County Richmond County Health Department 706.721.5800 Richmond County 706.721.5800 706.721.5800 www.ecphd.com

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

ARE YOU AT RISK?

11

12 UrbanProWeekly - AUGUST 24 - 31, 2017

UPW backpage Labor Day Weekend

MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE GEORGIA HORNS Sept. 3 • 7:30 pm AugustaCommons

MARCUS PRINTUP trumpet STANTAWN KENDRICK saxophones CHRIS CRENSHAW trombone

Get ready for the annual Labor Day Weekend music celebration in the Greater Augusta River Region. Garden City Jazz has teamed up with area organizers to present a full slate of activities for the holiday weekend, including concerts, craft brewery tours, a pop-up dinner party, and more.

The Georgia Horns was formed on May 7, 2011 to play for the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in Thomson, GA. The group is a mixture of youth, experience, talent, and infectious soul. All of the members were mostly born and reared in the Peach State, or have lived in Georgia for some time.

Although all have various influences from various genres, The Georgia Horns are about the most important element of jazz: SWING! Marcus Printup (trumpet) is from Conyers, GA. The nickname of “Soulhorn” is appropriate for his fiery, passionate approach to the music. He has recorded numerous albums of his own including his latest, Young Bloods. He leads his own group and is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Stantawn Kendrick (saxophones) is from Thomson, GA. His sound has always been huge, and he is always searching for the next great innovation. He has played with Clark Terry, Mulgrew Miller, and Roy Hargrove to name a few. He released his first album entitled No Longer Bound on March 10, 2017.

Chris Crenshaw (trombone) is from Thomson, GA. His ability to quickly absorb and

interpret music is a plus. He leads his own group and is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and has appeared on projects such as Ted Nash’s GRAMMY award winning The Presidential Suite.

Kenny Banks, Jr. (piano) is from Atlanta, GA. Growing up in Columbus, OH, he was immersed into the music by his father, Kenny Banks, Sr., a pianist in his own right, Art Tatum, and Oscar Peterson. Since he moved to Atlanta, he has made great strides in his career, and he has a rare combination of skill, soul, and taste.

Kevin Smith (bass) is from Atlanta, GA. Smith’s path started in historic black churches and has led to a successful music career. He is on-demand in Atlanta, GA and is also a reliable bassist and educator.

He has appeared on numerous projects with the likes of Russell Malone, Fred Wesley, Wycliffe Gordon, and OutKast.

Brandon McCrae (drums) is from Valdosta, GA. Although he grew up in the church, McCrae has a command in jazz that is unique and fresh. He has appeared on projects of differing genres and instruments including Musiq Soulchild, Maranda Curtis, and Marvin Sapp.