Here's our 4 Fave moments from Southeast Queens Jam Fest
Live Music Returns to Jamaica Queens
Friday's Southeast Queens Jam Fest was a landmark moment for Jamaica Queens as a whole. After being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, the outdoor, socially distanced concert by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning was a sign that arts and culture prevailed. Each musician brought something new and unique to the table and rocked the stage in their own right. Here are four of the moments that stood out to us.
4. K. Credle's Shoulders
Just when the crowd was getting restless and the weather got a bit nippy, K. Credle gave the audience what they were waiting for: A high energy performance that showcased his ability as a lyricist, as well as a performer. K. Credle got busy with the shoulder work and got the crowd turnt as well. In all seriousness, his well rounded performance touched on his bouts with depression, anxiety and even showcased some of his singing chops. 10/10 showing from the South Jamaica Queens Native.
3. J La Sol's Freestyle
J La Sol brought us back to the old Queens, giving us Tribe Called Quest vibes with his performance. The live instrumentation courtesy of Dark Sky Hustlers was a nice touch, and he had the crowd rocking throughout. The highlight though, had to be when J La Sol, got the crowd involved. The emcee had the crowd give him words to freestyle off of, and DELIVERED. Even when words like "Quarantine" were thrown at him, he didn't miss a beat.
2. Ashley Keiko's "A Change is Gonna Come"
The young entrepreneur and musician is no stranger to the neighborhood of Jamaica Queens. Her music school is located on Jamaica Avenue and she's performed with JCAL before. Southeast Queens Jam Fest was a terrific showcase of her range, as she gave us everything from Afro-beats to Jazz. The emotional climax came when she previewed a track from her upcoming album. Her cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" was packed with raw emotion, getting a crowd who had been stuck inside for months out of their seats. It was definitely the feel good moment of the evening.
1. Kofi Hunter's "Riding 4 Big Floyd"
Kofi's lineage is deeply connected to the rich history of Jazz in Jamaica Queens, one of the reasons why this performance was all the more special. After starting out with a Freddie Hubbard cover, he dipped into the catalogue of his newly released album "Nation Time." The timely track "Riding 4 Big Floyd" masterfully captured the frustrations and emotions connected to being black in America. By the time it reached its end, the crowd was literally begging for CDs of the album. As he would say, the album is available for purchase here: https://kofihunter.bandcamp.com/album/nation-time
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