WILSON — The Arts Council of Wilson is planning a special concert to celebrate the African American Music Trail with Rhythm & Blues legends and The Monitors Saturday at the historic Boykin Center in downtown Wilson.
This event will be the hot ticket for those who cherish North Carolina’s heritage of world-class rhythm and blues. The audience will be treated to the smooth sounds of Bill Myers, Sam Lathan, Dick Knight and the rest of the Monitors, and Gloria Burks, Sharon McLaughlin, Dexter Ruffin, Evelyn Hagans, Esther Martin and the band Make a Difference.
The African American Music Trail is bringing recognition to the major contributions that African Americans from North Carolina have made to the world of music. The state was home to several legendary historical figures of jazz, blues and gospel, including John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller and Elizabeth Cotton.
Today, artists like Shirley Caesar, Faircloth Barnes, Maceo Parker, Bill Myers and Sam Lathan, among others, represent the state to the world through their internationally acclaimed music.
Plans to educate the public on this heritage include interactive kiosks at the Wilson arts council and other arts councils and visitors centers in the region, including Lenoir County’s Community Council for the Arts. The kiosks will include descriptions of musicians, venues, sites and other music resources in the African American Music Trail.
These multi-talented African American Trail musicians will appear at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Boykin Center, 108 W. Nash St. Celebrate Black History Month with the stories and toe-tapping music of this heritage. Tickets are $20/$15 students and seniors.
A free reception and forum will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Wilson Arts Center, 124 Nash St. SW, led by Myers and Lathan, that also will feature the musicians who participate in the Eastern N.C. eight-county AAMT. Beside Lenoir and Wilson, participating counties are Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Nash, Pitt and Wayne.
For tickets and more information, call the Arts Council of Wilson at 252-291-4329.
African American Music Trail Celebration
7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Boykin Center, 108 W. Nash St., Wilson
Tickets: $20/$15 students and seniors
Reception and forum 7 to 9 p.m. Friday
Wilson Arts Center, 124 Nash St. SW
Free
Info: 252-291-4329
