We Almost Lost Detroit – The Music of Gill Scott & Brian Jackson with Brian Jackson, Moodymann + Theo Parrish

Brian Jackson
One-half of the legendary duo Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, pianist-composer Brian Jackson is widely thought of as one of the forefathers of neo-soul and modern hip hop, prompting New Yorker magazine in a 2022 article to call him “a musical pioneer.” His catalogue has long been a source of sample material for icons such as Tupac, Common and Kendrick Lamar.

Continually choosing to put his music at the service of social and/or political messages, Brian has worked with artists as diverse as Ron Carter, Bobbi Humphrey, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith and many others. His album, This Is Brian Jackson (BBE Music), has garnered critical acclaim with spots in Mojo magazine’s “Highest Rated Albums of 2022“ and in The New York Times’ February 2022 playlist. His album 2084 (Montserrat House) is scheduled for release in early 2023.

Theo Parrish
Theo Parrish is a Chicago-raised DJ, producer, and artist known for his influential work in Detroit’s creative community scene since 1995; he also founded Sound Signature Recordings in 1997 and continues to produce vinyl records with the legendary Archer Record Pressing Co. Parrish, who has a BFA in sound sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute, continues to engage, challenge, and redefine the limits of Black dance music, serving as an example of creative independence.

Moodymann
An outspoken voice in the normally non-confrontational world of electronic dance music, Moodymann (Kenny Dixon Jr.) is committed to keeping a distinctly black imprint on techno and house. Moodymann worked at several Detroit record stores in the mid-nineties including a store owned by producer Blake Baxter. During the mid-nineties Kenny was also the resident DJ at the Detroit based Outcast Motorcycle Club. At that time he was known as “House”. After his first several releases on Planet E Records Kenny became quite popular in France and from there his popularity grew.

Moodymann’s sound is a hybrid form of techno/house dance music arrived at via innovative use of reworked riffs, samples and grooves. While he may frustrate people with his refusal to be interviewed and insistence on reminding people of the genre’s origins, the soulfulness of his output is unquestioned. Utilizing classic soul and jazz samples, low-slung bass lines and an approach to drum programming that is diametrically opposed to the tendency to push the tempo faster and faster, he has achieved classic status thanks to gems like “Sunday Morning”, “Shades of Jae”, and his remix of Innerzone Orchestra’s “People Make the World Go Round”. Following years of 12″ only releases, he compiled his best work on “Silentintroduction”, one of the most celebrated albums of the late 90s.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Strictly 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.