CONCERT
Saturday, October 26th at 8:30 pm, Campus Theater, Lewisburg, PA
Tickets are available online here.
Musical performance by the soul-jazz group “Blue River Soul Band” featuring lead singer Karen Meeks, presenting songs of African-American divas from the 20s and 30s. Students, faculty, staff, and the Lewisburg Community are welcome.
THE DIVAS SUNG BY KAREN MEEKS
Karen Meeks performing
“I have dreamed of the day that the divas project would become a reality. I first conceived the idea to write a show about Billie Holiday. Years later my sister Thomasina and I thought to add more divas to the mix because someone had released a musical about Billie already. And so it began.” KM.
The Divas Sung by Karen Meeks is a historical musical account of how black women trail blazed onto the music scene in the 1920’s and set a precedent for how women in music “Made It”, survived and prospered in the wake of slavery and racism, sexism, oppression and extreme poverty. Gertrude Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James’s music careers spanned from the 1920’s to 2012 and their music is still relevant today.
The Divas Sung by Karen Meeks, is a project that impacts the perception of exceptional Black Women who crafted their art during the 20th century with the exception of Etta James who made her final appearance in 2009. History often times portrays the negative aspects of these brilliant woman; consequently, these women will be respected for their revolutionary and evolutionary music and performance.
The Divas Project Goals
• Educate the community about the positive aspects of pioneering Black women in Jazz and Blues.
• Allow community members to discover the intricacies needed to further the original music of our country.
• Exposing the community to Jazz to help them appreciate the diverse nature of The Blues and Jazz.
• Invite members of the community to participate with the Divas’ production in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• The project will teach the community that obstacles can be overcome as exemplified by these Divas.
• Resiliency will be cultivated through the examples modeled by The Divas of Jazz who were able to triumph over seemingly insurmountable hardships; thus, encouraging community members to consider their lives and acquire strength to persevere.
THE SHOW
In the show, Karen Meeks is the extraordinarily gifted singer and quick-change actress who brings to life the colorful character and uniquely beautiful musical styles of each of these divas!
Karen Meeks
Singer/Songwriter, Actress, Writer
Karen Meeks, a versatile singer-songwriter with a talent for bringing communities together through the power of music, presents a dynamic musical journey in “The Divas Sung by Karen Meeks.” This project is a collaboration with her sister Thomasina Y. Meeks. They have developed a concert that pays homage to the iconic black women of jazz and blues.
Karen’s contributions to music have been recognized on a national level with her solo albums making it onto the Grammy preliminary ballot–a testament to her artistic excellence and innovation. Through her performances, Karen disseminates peace, love and unity, that honors the rich history of music while inspiring audiences to look toward a bright and inclusive future.
Exciting and artistically true to the early 1900s form, musical accompaniment is provided by the Blue River Soul Band and an all star cast in the American Blues Horn Section. Historical, theatrical, heartfelt, this production embodies the spirit and soul of those remarkable Black women trailblazers, and we invite you to come celebrate their inspirational achievements.
Blue River Soul Band members: Richard Findlay, keyboards and operations director for Karen Sings the Divas project (www.keyboardmusician.net); Chris Minnich, percussion; Ted DiCola, saxophones, clarinet and flute; Mike Hickey, guitar; Tim C. Breon double bass. More information about the band, here.
American Blue Horn members: Todd L. Hunter, trombone; Ed Smith, trumpet; Ron Bixler, saxophone.
Additional participants in the Divas Project: Jeffry Foote, Guest star/ MC Actor, Singer, Tap Dancer ( https://www.jeffryfoote.com/tap-dance); Lexi Berecin, Dancer; Chayton Meeks-Owens, Sign Guy.
SONGS PROGRAM
The Blue River Soul Band: Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Jeffry Foote: Song and Dance
Ma Rainey: Moonshine Blues, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Bessie Smith: St. Louis Blues, Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer
Lexi Berecin: Dance
Billie Holiday: Good Morning Heartache, I’ve Got my Love to Keep me Warm
The Blue River Soul Band: Instrumental
Ella Fitzgerald: I Won’t Dance, A Tisket a Tasket
Lexi Berecin: Dance
Etta James: At Last, Sunday Kind of Love, Somethin’s Got a Hold on Me
Blue River Soul Band: Instrumental
Karen Meeks- On a Sunday Afternoon
Billie Holiday: Strange Fruit
~ This Divas Project promotes Unity within the Community ~ Spreading Love through Music.
More details about the Divas Project at: blueriversoul.com/the-diva-s-sung-by-karen-meeks