Kwanzaa Fest BK
Featuring: Shokanni, 86 Supreme, James Rouse & The Buttered Biscuits, Sonny Step, Chris Turner, Kendra Foster, & TSN
6pm doors • 7pm show
About
“Our goal with Kwanzaa Fest BK is to create a safe space for millennial people of color. A place where you can be proud of your heritage, engage in your community, and still have a great time. Kwanzaa Fest BK is a party, but a party for a purpose.” — Kofi Hunter, Creative Director for Kwanzaa Fest BK
Kwanzaa Fest BK brings a modern approach to celebrating the festival of Kwanzaa and its principles. The celebration features an art exhibit, a film screening, musical performances, and the famous Kwanzaa Fest After Party!
Featuring:
Shokanni
86 Supreme
James Rouse & The Buttered Biscuits
Sonny Step
Chris Turner
Kendra Foster
TSN
Visual Art Exhibit by Cody Jordan
Film Screening by Aristotle Bam
Vendors will also be in attendance
Tickets
The Artists
86 Supreme is a Brooklyn-based live electronic trio that combines their DIY punk vibe with reggae, hip hop, jungle and grime sound. They turn the traditional band set up on its head by integrating beat production and sample triggering into an explosive live performance.
86 Supreme began as an expression of an original sound and technique. With live production concepts lead by midi-bassist/vocalist Sean Play, the band took its full form with drummer Yahoteh Kokayi, and synthesist Tenzin Hunter in 2017, creating their own signature style.
Both Sean and Tenzin introduce a FREAK set up to the stage by using their instruments to control stand alone samplers (gear geeks), resulting in their own distinct take on sound and musical technique.
Through their releases, live performances and clothing line 1 Plus Edition, 86 Supreme is more than just a band; it’s an expression of culture, creativity, sonics and lifestyle.
Chris Turner is a classically trained crooner, a soul singer for the ages, with a new classic sound that defies his years. Proving to be a writer for our times, he deftly combines jazz, hip-hop, funk, and soul in his music. From falsetto to scatting to laying down smooth and creative phrasings, Chris is bringing old soul back in a fresh sound. Graduating from the New School University for Jazz and Contemporary Music immediately started working as an in-demand singer for the Soul, Jazz and R&B scenes in New York. Chris tours and records internationally with his own group as well as with Usher, The Roots, Stevie Wonder, Bootsy Collins, Chris Dave and the Drumhedz, Killiam Shakespeare, Sam Smith, Disclosure, Mike Posner, Esperanza Spalding, Bilal, Jon Batiste, Harvey Mason Sr., Eddie Palmeri, Dianne Reeves, Eric Harland, Consequence, Kris Bowers, ERIMAJ and many more. Chris was selected to perform as an “Artist To Watch” by BET’s Music Matters. Chris released his first single, “Liquid Love,” the video for which debuted on BET. That single was later released on Sony Records as part of Music Matters first compilation album, along with Melanie Fiona, Big Sean, Miguel and others. His single, “Fly Love,” is being distributed internationally by Rebirth, a remix and DJ label. Chris now is on faculty for his alma mater (New School Jazz) as a vocal coach. His newest vocal student is 070 Shake, featured on Kanye West’s latest release. (Def Jam/GOOD music artist).
Sonny Step has established himself as a potent force in an eclectic array of musical genres, bringing to bear his skills as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in a variety of impressive contexts. Whether he is performing on the Late Show with Vic Mensa, singing with Rihanna at a renowned music award ceremony, working with Ricky Martin, performing as a founder and band leader with Hudson Horns, or joining Solange at a plush performance at the Guggehheim, Sonny works hard to seamlessly blend in to an ensemble or stand out in a solo act.
Born and raised in Philly, Sonny was exposed in large doses to RnB, soul, rock, and jazz. He routinely performs as a lead singer, showcasing his own writing and that of other established acts. His singing is deeply influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. He is a jazz-trained Saxophonist whose style hearkens back to a range of players and bands such as Dexter Gordon and Parliament-Funkadelic. Step’s original compositions feature smooth and soulful harmonies and heavy grooves that stylistically interweave 1990’s RnB with dance beatsstraight out of the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Sonny brings musicality and groove to every project including rap and trap efforts and fusion outfits coming out of the Steely Dan and Miles Davis vibes.
Look out for Sonny Step’s forthcoming EP, scheduled to come out in early 2019.
