Jazz saxophonist and recording artist Gerald Albright and his daughter, vocalist Selina Albright, returned to Little Rock as headliners for the sixth annual A Work of Art. The weeklong celebration and fundraiser for Art Porter Music Education concluded with the Aug. 6 concert, featuring the Albrights at Wildwood Park for the Arts.
Attendees gathered to mingle prior to the show, which opened with remarks by Pamela Smith, longtime master of ceremonies for the event. Sterling Ingram, organization president, introduced Kendric Kelley, a Central High School graduate and saxophone player who is the 2016 scholarship recipient. Members of the organization's Minors in Music program, led by Danny Fletcher and featuring vocalists Jasmine Murray and Briana Hill, started off the evening with mini-tributes to recently deceased artists Prince, Natalie Cole and Maurice White.
Backed by a three-piece band, Gerald Albright lit up the concert hall with such compositions as "G & Lee," "Bermuda Nights," "Close to You" (on which he encouraged a little vocal help from the audience) and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." Then came Selina Albright, bringing from her Brighter debut album such numbers as "Don't Shake It Up" and "You and I" before teaming up with her father for a horn-and-vocals duet. Gerald Albright finished up the concert by egging on a conga line to Ne-Yo's R&B hit "Champagne Life."
The week -- which kicked off with an Aug. 1 event at Little Rock City Hall and an Aug. 2 Riverfront Park concert by Minors in Music -- also consisted of concerts by keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen at Cajun's Wharf; saxophonist Benjamin Pruitt at Khalil's Pub & Grill; and the Porter Players, also at Khalil's. The week garnered $30,500 for Art Porter Music Education, which uses music to enhance academic skills, develop leadership skills and promote volunteerism among youth.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 08/14/2016