Let me introduce you to two of my [current] favorite musicians: Tyrone Wells and Blue Scholars. I can’t get them out of my head. Two different genres but both are so very talented.
Q Cafe is a non-profit cafe that also doubles as a music venue. This non-religious cafe was birthed and funded by Quest Church in the church’s desire to invest in the city and culture of Seattle. It is not a large music venue; we’re able to seat a little over 200 folks but as an all ages venue with lots of parking, we can be an attractive venue – especially for the up and coming artists that are not quite yet big time. So, every now and then, we get to host or invite a variety of musicians. Tyrone Wells is playing the Q next week and we’re begging to get Blue Scholars to headline a hip-hop show in the next year. That would be so sweet.
For those that don’t know, Tyrone Wells is a singer-songwriter in the mold of a hipper James Taylor. I first heard him about a year ago at a show at Q Cafe. As I wrote earlier, Tyrone Wells is playing again at Q Cafe on Wednesday, September 12 at 8pm. If you’re free that night, shack out the $10 to watch this special acoustic show. You can buy tickets HERE.
“In his five years on the music scene as a singer-songwriter, he has evolved in an honest and organic manner, first scrambling for gigs and selling albums from the trunk of his car to eventually packing out The House of Blues and having his songs featured prominently on television programs. Wells’ major label debut Hold On is a fresh release filled with new promises. The first single from the record “What Are We Fighting For?” exemplifies his ability to mingle different styles into a seamless composition. A pulsing rocker fueled by a love for R&B, the song blends organic acoustic guitar, choir vocals and chiming organ into a complete array of sound. Lyrically, “What Are We Fighting For?” is just as multifaceted, addressing subjects like the difficulty of relationship, racial reconciliation and the futility of war.”
Blue Scholars is a local two person hip-hip group [one emcee and one deejay] from Seattle. Most hip hop fans in Seattle are familiar with them but I was only introduced to them last year when they opened up for Kanye West at Bumbershoot ’06. If you haven’t heard them, do yourself a favor and check them out. From Wikipedia:
Blue Scholars are a hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington. The duo was created in 2002 while the members, Geologic and Sabzi, were a part of The SHOW (Student Hip Hop Organization of Washington) at the University of Washington (Seattle). The group consists of one DJ, Sabzi and one MC, Geologic.
The name “Blue Scholars” is a play on the term “blue collar,” which is an idiom for workers who often earn meager hourly wages for manual labor. Their music and lyrics often focus on struggles between socioeconomic classes, challenging authority and youth empowerment, as evidenced in the songs “Blink” and “Commencement Day.” These themes are often specifically addressed in relation to the Seattle region, as in “Southside Revival” and “The Ave.”
Filed under: entertainment, Q Cafe
Dang.
Blue Scholars is hot. No offense but I think they’ve gotten too big for Q now.
Gene;
Tyrone played at Montecito Covenant last year in cooperation with Westmont College: standing room only with multiple ovations. Yours is a concert not to miss!
Big up to the Blue Scholars. A few years ago, I got the chance to work Geologic during a couple of contract projects for the Wing Luke Museum. He’s definitely all about social justice and the local community, especially in the south Seattle area.
I like one of the quotes he included in the ‘BAYANI’ liner notes:
“A hero serves the people to his very last breath.”
-Jose Maria Sison