January 26 - 27, 2024
Knight Theater
Produced by The Sol Kitchen in collaboration with Blumenthal Performing Arts, Black Notes Project is a weekend music festival with the mission of celebrating Black music and artistry. The festival will feature two evening concerts as well as daytime family-friendly programming to engage the community. The inaugural edition will honor the classical orchestral tradition while situating it alongside contemporary musical innovation featuring national performing artists Brandee Younger, Tunde, Igmar Thomas and Revive Big Band, Mad Skillz, and special guests—including some local favorites.
Festival Schedule
Friday, January 26
Enjoy a concert program featuring Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger performing jazz standards and selections from her most recent album, Brand New Life. “No harpist thus far has been more capable of combining all of the modern harp traditions — from Salzedo, through Dorothy Ashby, through Alice Coltrane — with such strength, grace and commitment.” - The New York Times
This Friday evening concert will also feature the debut of The Black Notes Project Ensemble, comprised of local instrumentalists (including members of the Charlotte Strings Collective) and led by conductor Phillip Biedenbender (Charlotte Master Chorale). Fresh off his BET Awards performance, Mad Skillz will be on hand to provide a sonic bridge between the classical and contemporary worlds. Be prepared to take a musical journey with this instrumental amalgamation that will engage and inspire music lovers of all ages.
Saturday, January 27
Black Notes Project kicks off Saturday with a performance by the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra featuring young internet phenomenon, Van Van.
Also on Saturday, Black Notes Project brings you baritone operatic singer Tunde (LA Philharmonic, Detroit Opera). Known for combining classical opera and Hip Hop, he has created a new genre for the 21st century: Hip Hopera. Tunde’s musical videos and educational content have garnered him a broad audience, from more than a million Internet followers to coverage in publications like Billboard, The New Yorker, and TIME Magazine.
And you may know him as the musical director and band leader for D-Nice’s popular Club Quarantine or from his work with Lauryn Hill, but Igmar Thomas and his Revive Big Band are headliners on their own. Trumpeter, maestro, and musical innovator Thomas will lead his band in a dynamic set that will have you on your feet. The band's repertoire features original compositions and inventive orchestrations of jazz standards and contemporary classics by artists ranging from Oliver Nelson, Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard to A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Gangstarr, Bilal, and more. Don’t miss this chance to experience the evolution of musical tradition—here for the first time in the Queen City.
About the Sol Kitchen
The Sol Kitchen is a Black and Veteran-owned live music production and promotion company that centers BIPOC artists and emerging talent. In addition to producing live concerts and musical productions, we also curate other creative events including music and arts festivals. The Sol Kitchen sees the arts as a tool to convene and connect diverse communities and has been guided by that purpose for the more than two decades that we have been in business.
Student Rush Offer
$15 Student Tickets- Subject to Availability
Must present student ID to receive tickets. Two tickets per valid ID. Seats may be purchased in advance but will be best available night of show. Valid on evening performances, while seats remain.