Mingus Awareness Project
Mingus Awareness ProjectSaturday, August 10thDoors: 6pm | All Agesw// No Bs Brass Band // Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood Mingus Awareness Project concerts have been presented since 2007 — in Richmond, VA (Balliceaux, The Camel, CenterStage Rhythm Hall and Firehouse Theatre); and the Chicago area (Velvet Lounge, FitzGerald’s, Jazz Showcase, Hideout, HotHouse and Martyrs’). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a rapidly progressive disease that causes muscle weakness, difficulty speaking and swallowing and, generally, complete paralysis. In most cases, while the body continues to deteriorate, the mind remains unaffected. The disease does not discriminate, striking any age, gender and race. Every 90 minutes, someone in the US is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes, someone in the US dies of ALS. There is no known cure for ALS and, once diagnosed, patients typically live only three to five years. NOBS Brass: Founders Reggie Pace and Lance Koehler have cast this 11-piece band in which nearly every member has had conservatory training, holding various degrees in music. In putting together the compositions and arrangements, the “b.s.” has been stripped to give the audience something solid, unique, organic, real, and powerful. They have the look of New Orleans with the raw sound all their own — music is a true definition of the “Richmond sound.” Based in Richmond, Virginia, No BS! Brass Band has quickly earned a reputation as a premiere band to see for heart-pounding energy and uncontrollable dancing. They take their music into uncharted territory, embracing the spirit of New Orleans into its original East Coast modern funk and fearlessly combining elements of James Brown, John Coltrane, Michael Jackson, and Led Zeppelin into their fiercely original sound. Michael Hawkins and The BrotherhoodMichael Hawkins, a charismatic bassist based in Richmond, Virginia, has performed with jazz legends like Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, and Gary Bartz. He’s toured internationally and played at prestigious venues such as The Village Vanguard in New York City. Locally, his band “Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood” is a top jazz ensemble in RVA. Since 2018, they’ve been wowing audiences across the Richmond area and beyond. https://www.michaelhawkinsmusic.com/