by Shawn Nowlin
There are many reasons why jazz remains one of the most popular music genres. Unlike other forms of art, jazz is played all around the world and has a distinctive improvisation quality.
On July 14, Goodwill Industries hosted its first Jazz in July event. Free to the public, the gathering occurred from 6 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the Melrose Plaza. Attendees were asked to bring their own chairs and canned food items which were later donated to the Lion’s Share food pantry.
“We want to make sure that we are taking care of our community. Although this event was very fun, there are so many people out there who need food and other resources,” Explained Goodwill’s Director of Special Projects & Events Donna Davis.
The featured performers last Friday were Roanoke native Allan Walker, a seasoned musician who has worked with many Motown greats like Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. Walker was joined by Roanoke’s own William Penn (keyboard), trumpeters John Gregg and Angeleisha Rodgers, a Bronx, NY native currently employed as an educator and performer at New York City’s Lincoln Center. Also on stage were local vocalists Bernadette Lark, creator and director of CommUNITY ArtsReach who was accompanied by husband Deron on keyboard. Lark also joined Gloria Evans and the group Kemistry as they collaborated on several soulful favorites.
From start to finish, the crowd was actively engaged, knowing many of the songs word for word. Being surrounded by other jazz music lovers made attendee Nicole Smith’s experience more enjoyable. “For me, Jazz in July is right up there with the Henry Street Festival. I strongly encourage that people experience this at least once. Simply put, you can’t beat the music and atmosphere.”
In addition to music, there were also food trucks and information flyers about the plaza’s most recent project, something Zenith Barrett explained.
“The new Melrose Plaza Center will serve to restore our community. Services at the plaza will include a new full-service grocery store and an adult high school for learners to earn a state-recognized high school diploma and degree-recognized credentials. There will also be a wellness center that’ll support the health of the community,” Barrett, the Vice President of Business and Community Engagement at Goodwill Industries, said.
Natasha Saunders, a senior education consultant, later added, “I am proud of my strength which has allowed me to persevere, but must it always be my narrative? Must it always be the narrative of our community? Nipsey Hussle once said, ‘If you look at the people around you and don’t get inspired, you don’t have a circle, you have a cage.’ I’ve often declared that it is not just up to our community to shape itself, it’s also up to our leadership to pour into it.”
Early on Saunders delivered an impassioned speech that kicked the spirit of the event into high gear.
