The legacy Show (EPK)

The Legacy Show is a multimedia celebration of African-American History and Culture through the Arts.  The program features violinist Tami Lee Hughes and The Legacy Collective, a multicultural cast of acclaimed artists, performing classical music infused with blues, jazz, gospel, spirituals, and hip-hop. Portraying musical and cultural themes of the Antebellum Period, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Era, and Modern Times, The Legacy Show includes poetry by such writers as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and visual media representing significant facets of African-American culture.  Audience members enjoy an array of images during the music performances, including photos of such iconic figures as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Duke Ellington, Denzel Washington, Lena Horne, Beyoncé, and many more.  A special feature of the show is Songbirds, a tribute to women written exclusively for The Legacy Show by Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer and Rock and Roll "Hall of Famer" Kerwin Young. Songbirds portrays the determination, strength, beauty, and grace of women who have impacted the world. It succeeds Duke Ellington Suite, another Legacy Show exclusive, written by Ozie Cargile in homage to one of jazz's great legends.

Our mission is to celebrate African-American History and Culture through the Arts, and to preserve the legacy of African-American musicians, composers, and writers who have impacted our world.  We aim not just to entertain, but also educate audiences of all ages and demographics.  Some of the program's content, including the spiritual Some Time I Feel Like A Motherless Child or Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman," is likely familiar to audiences.  Other works, including the classical-hip-hop fusion Filter and the poem "Victorious Landing" by up and coming writer Brione Jackson, may be less familiar.  The Legacy Show, however, encourages audiences make deeper connections between History, Culture, and the Arts, and, demonstrates the diversity of creative artists who have documented this history over time.  Everyone who attends The Legacy Show learns something new. Through The Legacy Show, we hope to inspire listeners to explore diverse voices in Creative Arts, and, to provide them with an unforgettable concert experience.

Critics rave violinist Tami Lee Hughes “rises to considerable technical challenges,” playing with a sound “reminiscent of Perlman.”  A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Hughes began playing violin at the age of four.  She grew up in a musical family and draws from her Creole roots, performing classical music infused with jazz, blues, gospel, and hip-hop.  Since making her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16, Hughes has extensively toured the United States, Europe, and Central America, championing music of African-American composers.  Her solo album, Legacy: Violin Music of African-American Composers, was heralded as one of the top ten albums of 2011 by All Music Guide, garnering acclaim from audiences and critics alike.  In 2016, Tami launched The Legacy Show, a live multimedia concert inspired by her debut album to great acclaim.  Her work has been broadcasted on radio stations around the world and continues to serve as a significant artistic and cultural record of American music. 

Additional credits in classical music include appearances in Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center as a member of the acclaimed Sphinx Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble; appearances as section violinist in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, and Charleston Symphony Orchestra among others; a live broadcast concert on Chicago’s WFMT radio station for the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series; and featured artist in the Ritz Chamber Players Concert Series.  An artist of versatility, Hughes also has numerous credits in popular music, film, and television.  She performs as violinist for The Only Good Indian, a 2009 Sundance Film Festival motion picture, and has recorded as studio violinist for Grammy Award-winning artists Aretha Franklin, She'kspere, Fred Hammond, and Donnie McClurkin.  She has also performed live in concert with Smokey Robinson and DJ Spooky, and, on television with Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin.   

Hughes earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota and Master and Doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan.  Her teachers include Sally O’Reilly, Paul Kantor, and Camilla Wicks. 

Pianist Ellen R. Sommer is a sought-after collaborative pianist, chamber musician, and coach.  Her reputation for excellence has led to extensive engagements throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South Americas, Europe and Asia.  Recent performances include a recital playing chamber music at the Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture in Malibu, California, with Maria Newman, Scott Hosfeld and instrumentalists from the Metropolitan Opera orchestra; and a series of concerts and master classes in San José, Costa Rica at the Universidad de Costa Rica, and Casa de la musica in Quito, Ecuador.

Sommer can be heard on numerous professional recordings, including five under the auspices of Potenza Music, Parma, and Albany Records.  Most recently Sommer recorded works of composer, Ingrid Stolzel for Parma Records.

Sommer is a founding member of Allegresse, a fresh and inspiring trio for flute, oboe and piano. Recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Grant, the trio’s performances have taken them throughout North America, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.  

Sommer is a frequent performer in the live radio broadcast studio at Kansas Public Radio. She currently serves as a Lecturer in Piano at the University of Kansas School of Music.  She performs regularly with faculty, visiting artists, and students from around the world. 

Bassist Kelly McCarty began his professional career in 2011 touring with productions of My Fair Lady by New York-based Big League Productions.  Thereafter, he performed in two succeeding tours of Hello Dolly and A Christmas Story. During this time, he also recorded an electric jazz quartet album entitled A Periapsis Suite. 

After moving to Atlanta in 2014, McCarty established himself as a player and teacher in high demand. He has toured with roots/rock sensation Larkin Poe, with whom he performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, including an appearance at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival. He has also performed live or recorded with Ansley Stewart, Sam Burchfield, Orquesta Macuba, Karla Harris, and The Georgia Players Guild.  

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Kansas State University and Master of Music degree from Florida State University. 

Christopher Javon Watkins is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and  a fourth generation musician in his family.  He has played for many noted artists in the gospel and jazz arena, including Grammy Award Nominee “Ledisi,” Bebe Winans, Israel Houghton, Donald Lawrence, Ricky Dillard, “Sunday Best Winner” Geoffrey Golden, jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris and Wil Kennedy of the Yellow Jackets.  He is a member of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. and was a part of the 2019 Dodge Superbowl Commercial.  Watson attends Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he serves as Drum Section Leader of the Morehouse College Jazz Band. 

“The program . . . unquestionably provides a sampling of styles that have evolved in the black musical community, each of which should capture  . . . listeners’ fancy.  Recommended . . . “  (Fanfare Magazine)

“Hughes plays with such a singing, lush quality reminiscent of Perlman . . . “  (All Music Guide)

“Hughes . . . [draws] a sumptuous tone from her instrument . . . and [plays with] heartfelt declamation.” (All Music Guide)

“Hughes . . . [rises] to considerable technical challenges . . . taking [her] classical instrument into often excitable territory with level-headed aplomb.”  (The Classical Review)