The Richmond Area Arts Council and the Richmond Madison County NAACP hosted a celebration of African American musicians in Kentucky Saturday night. Dr. Randy Westbrook, the Executive Director of the Richmond Area Arts Council, and Dr. Kathy Bullock, a Professor of Music at Berea College, welcomed the guests and entertainers.
La’Shelle Allen, a classically trained Contralto, opened the evening with a Sistah lament singing “Hold On” and “Soon I Will Be Done.” Her voice captivated the audience and was magnificent. Dr. Kathy Bullock accompanied her on the piano.
Next, Dr. Alicestyne Turley shared the Story of “A Balm in Gilead, Gilead, OH.” Dr, Turley is a historian who was born in Hazard, Kentucky and received her doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Turley is the founding director of the Underground Railroad Research Institute at Georgetown College.
Dr. Lloyd Mallory, the Choral Director and Associate Professor at Kentucky State University, sang “Walk About Zion” by R. Smallwood and was followed by Kor’ee Jackson who recently received a Masters in Violin from Eastern Kentucky University. Kor’ee played “Adoration” on his violin and was accompanied by Dr. Kathy Bullock on the piano. His second piece was “An Improvisation” that he composed.
Dr. Keith McCutchen, the Director of Academic Affairs for the School of Humanities and Performing Arts at Kentucky State University, played the piano for Mary Jackson who sang a “Vespers Hymn” and then Dr. Lloyd Mallory sang “How Did We Get Here? And Where Do We Go From Here?” which is a reflection on the lynchings of Marshall Boston and John Massey which was adapted to music by Dr. McCutchen from a poem by Asha French. Dr. McCutchen closed out his music set with “A Reflection On Wade in the Water” which was written and performed on the piano.
La’Shelle Allen performed “Journey to Freedom” after Keavia Terry and Angelina Hugely had to cancel their appearances. Mary Jackson sang “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King with Randy Westbrook on the piano.
Three jazz songs were performed by Randy Westbrook on piano, Charles “Bones” Burdette on drums, George Burdette on vocals and bass guitar, R. C. Smith on saxophone, and David Burdette on guitar. The songs were “Hamp’s Boogie Woogie” by Lionel Hampton, “Compared to What” by Les McCann, and “No Parking on the Dance Floor.”
The final highlight of the evening was a selection of hits by The Techniques who were celebrating the 50th anniversary. The members of The Techniques were Robert Blythe, Randy Black, David Burdette, George Burdette, Charles “Bones” Burdette, Cynthia Ballard, Otis Ballard, Flory Covington, and Virgil Gardner.
