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Summer Forest Concert: Music Moves Presents - Juneteenth Celebration

Music/Performance
North Forest
$20 ($16/members, Free/youth ages 18 & under)
This event has passed

Music that delves into the heart of Black excellence to produce a sound that reverberates around the world.

 

Saxophonist Tom Braxton

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Music Moves present this Juneteenth celebration, featuring musicians selected by Music Moves. Headlining the night’s performances is jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton, with artist and activist Branjae kicking the celebration off in style.

Tickets are $20 ($16 for members, $6 for SNAP participants, Free for youth ages 18/under*), reserve your spot online or with Guest Services at (479) 657-2335 today.

* Please Note: Though tickets for youth ages 18 and under are free, a ticket is required for entry. Reserve these tickets online or with Guest Services.

About the Artists

Saxophonist Tom Braxton

Tom Braxton

Tom Braxton has garnered critical acclaim while thrilling audiences of all ages from coast to coast and abroad for over two decades. From Africa to Japan, New York to LA, Braxton’s distinct, melodic sound leaves audiences astounded, clapping, and on their feet screaming for more!

His music can be heard on radio and television airwaves nationwide, and his albums have hit numerous jazz charts including Billboard, RadioWave, SmoothJazz.com, Groove Jazz Music, Capital Jazz Radio, and Amazon. That’s why Jazz Review calls Braxton “one of smooth jazz’s most prolific saxophonists…with all the required tools to become a major force.” In the summer of 2020, Braxton signed with Innervisions Records and released a single entitled Lookin’ Up. This fun, upbeat track was written and produced by Los Angeles keyboardist Herman Jackson. Tom’s second single, Hope for Tomorrow, features the jazz icon Bob James. Both singles landed on the Smooth Jazz Billboard Chart and ranked #1 on Amazon’s best seller and new releases list! Tom’s new album, also entitled Lookin’ Up, was released on August 6, 2021.

Additionally, this versatile instrumentalist has recorded nine albums including The Other Side (2016), The Next Chapter (2014), Endless Highway (2009), and Imagine This (2007) on the Pacific Coast Jazz label and Bounce (2005) on the Rendezvous label. The Next Chapter features Grammy winners Bob James, Earl Klugh, and Ricky Lawson, as well as one of Smooth Jazz’s most beloved guitarists, Peter White, who all lend their amazing talents to stellar duets with Tom’s lyrical saxophone. He was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in 2017. He has also been a featured artist and fan favorite on the Smooth Jazz Cruise for 12 years. This charismatic performer has been a headliner on the Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival in Portugal, the Stanbic Jazz Festival in Ghana, the Smooth Jazz Europe Festival in the Netherlands, and the Nile Gold Jazz Safari in Uganda. He was also showcased on the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Braxton is currently touring with Earl Klugh in the US, with past tours in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, and Japan. He has also performed with Keiko Matsui in Russia, Eastern Europe, Malaysia, and Japan. For 17 years, Tom toured extensively with Wayman Tisdale as his Musical Director. Braxton has shared the stage with many great artists including Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Peter White, Brian Culbertson, Marcus Miller, Candy Dulfer, Warren Hill, Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Paul Brown, Paul Jackson Jr., George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Norman Brown, Sheila E., Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, and Philip Bailey. He has been featured in media and publications such as JAZZIZ, Smooth Jazz News, The Saxophone Journal, CBS’s The Saturday Early Show, Ugandan Television, and Daystar Television Network.

Branjae

Branjae is the personification of Black American music. She is an artist, activist, dancer, singer, and actress. She asks “why not” through her music, challenging listeners to embrace their authentic selves. Her lyrical depth, energetic theatrical performances, and out of the box genre fluidity are as unique as the personas she embodies.

Her accolades include: Best Female Artist, Black Wall Street Music Awards; three-time Best Female Artist, Artist Of The Year, and Record Of The Year, Tulsa Vybez Awards; winner, Jimmy Lafave Song Writing Contest; nominee for Best Music Video, Independent Music Awards; and five-time nominee at the Tulsa Music Awards.

Her short film projects Street Light and Free Facts have gained international recognition, including exclusive features for Billboard Magazine and AfroPunk, and screenings in Toronto, Manchester, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Los Angeles, and Austin.

About Forest Concerts

Set outdoors in the museum’s beautiful North Forest, this family-friendly concert series features national and local artists surrounded by art and nature. Grab your lawn chair or blanket, kick back with friends, and enjoy live music under the trees all summer long. A food truck and cash bar will be available throughout the night, as well as kid-friendly artmaking activities.

Check out the 2023 concert lineup.

 

Sponsors

avad3 | AMP Sign and Banner | General Mills

Presented on the Coca-Cola Stage.