Welcome, I'm Dr. Raymond Wise, Executive Director of the African American Arts Institute. We're excited
to continue another installment of our spring concert series. And tonight, we are going to celebrate
black popular music with the IU Soul Review. This year, we're also celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the African American Choral Ensemble. And at this time, it means that all three of our performing
ensembles are 50 years old. They all have a 50-year legacy, and that is remarkable. Let's applaud that.
Before we get started, I want to acknowledge our home, the Neil Marshall Black Culture Center, and their
staff, who are always so supportive of all that we do. We also want to thank and acknowledge our academic
partner, the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, under which these ensembles
are listed as courses. And they, too, are celebrating a wonderful anniversary this year. We're excited
about their going forth as well. Know that the African American Arts Institute, the Neil Marshall Black
Culture Center, and the African American and African Diaspora Studies
department are all products of the vision of Dr. Herman C. Hudson who believed many years ago that black
music and dance should have a place in the academy. And over 50 years ago, he recognized the talent
and the gift of a young musician by the name of
and he selected her to launch what we now know has become the IU Soul Review. And 50 years later,
we are here. The IU Soul Review, now currently directed by Professor James Strong, has provided
transformative artistic and academic experiences and experience for hundreds of IU students, for faculty,
for staff, and community members. Recent performances, literally at the Madam Walker Theater and the
Jazz Kitchen, attest to the excellence in their performance as well.
They prepared an exciting concert for you. So let's just take a moment to thank them for their commitment
to maintain this legacy of black popular music here at Indiana University and beyond since 1971. Let's
give the Soul Review a hand.
I also want to give thanks to our new administrative unit, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the
staff who supported us through this transition this year. And of course, our concert series would not
be successful or possible without support of members of our community who believe in the arts and diversity,
and that includes you. So we just thank you for showing up and for coming out tonight.
We also want to thank the Buskirk Chumley staff who've welcomed us and assisted us in making tonight's
concert a success. And last but not least, we want to thank the African American Arts Institute staff.
A special thanks goes out to Jerrica Stocker and Johnny Campbell, Anya Jenkins, and their staff who've
worked so diligently to make tonight's concert a reality and success. Then special thanks to our production
team, to Laurie Garrity, to Mike Schwann, to Jeremy Hogan, and all of those who are helping with that
as well. Now as we come together tonight,
It's important to know that we do so at a time when there are some who believe that black music, dance,
and culture are not worthy of inclusion in the academy. And in fact, we face attempts for erasure and
elimination and to marginalize the stories of African Americans. But in this regard, we need your support.
We really need your help to help us maintain the legacy of the African American Arts Institute and create
sustainability for the future.
If we want to keep this going forth, and I hope that you will say that by the end of tonight's performance,
we must help to support it with our presence,
with our advocacy, with our resources. That said, we have several initiatives that are in the works
that will allow you to continue to help us preserve our mission of preserving and promoting black culture
through performance, education, creative activities, scholarship, and outreach. And we also have an
ongoing campaign that we call the Just One Campaign that allows you to support the Institute in a very
tangible way. So for those who cannot give large amounts, we certainly invite you to give a small donation
whenever possible. And we know that when we put our small
mounts together it will make a big difference. So go to our website look that up and feel free to give
a donation as well. Also want to announce that we have one additional event this year
Next Saturday, May the 2nd, the African American Choral Ensemble will present its spring concert on
the campus at the Ruth Anna Halls Theater, and we certainly invite you to come on back and join us there
for that celebration as well. Now, this is the moment that I tell everyone in the hall that I ask you
to turn off all of your gadgets and your devices that emit light and sound, and we thank you for adhering
to that policy.
We know that music has always played a vital part through which African Americans have told their stories.
Music has allowed black folks to express their joys and their sorrows and connect with their community
and celebrate. And that's what we've come here tonight to do. We have literally come to celebrate. And
if you're looking for a celebration, you're in the right place. There's one going on outside, but there's
another one going on in here.
We welcome you to the celebration of black popular music. And again, we invite you to join in with us,
sing along, rock along, clap along, dance along. But it's time to have a party and a celebration. So
we thank you again for being here tonight. Tonight's concert is entitled The Test Where Preparation
Meets Performance. So let's get this celebration and party started. And without further ado, we give
you the IU Soul Review under the direction of Professor James Strong. Enjoy.
Ladies and gentlemen, the IU Soul Review.
I'm okay with y'all.
And we want to say thank you guys for coming out, partying with us, you know what I'm saying?
Buying tickets, that means so much to us. Now for this next one, I think my girl Anaya got something
to say to y'all. Talk to them. All right, do we know anybody named Janet Jackson? Do you have some Janet
Jackson fans? All right, all right. Band, go ahead and hit me. All right, y'all have that special someone
that when you think of them, your mind just, it's calm, it's at peace.
Now she ate, she ate, you know what I'm sayin'? Now on this next one, my good friend Nyla wanna talk
to y'all too, is that cool? Nyla, what's up? All right, this next song is by a wonderful woman named
Alicia Keys. It was released in 2009, and it's about just loving someone so much that you would do anything
for them, you would be open and vulnerable for them, you would do the unthinkable for them.
Y'all ready? All right. Band, you got me?
They stand afraid against my window, bringing back sweet memories.
for this next one, we just wanna get a little serious with y'all for a little bit. Now we gonna give
y'all a little bit of the stylistics. Do y'all know about the stylistics? Well, I'll give you a little
backstory. They are a soul group based out of Philly. Back in the 1960s, they was doing their thing.
But this one that we're about to do is about self-reflection. What can you contribute to make the world
a better place? When you look down inside, look at yourself and say, wow, I really have a purpose here
and I really matter.
So with this next one, we want to give you People Make the World Go Round.
Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen. As the vocalists leave the stage, I just want to take a
quick second to give my band a little time to shine, you know what I'm saying? They some killers on
these instruments, y'all. Give a round of applause to the band, everyone. Now, my brother, Mr.
Conner Lee, could you please come up here and tell them what you're about to give them, man? How we
all doing tonight? Thank you all so much for coming out. We're about to do a David Sanborn number called Hideaway.
Did y'all enjoy that? I can't hear you. Did y'all enjoy that? Because we got plenty more where that
came from. Now, this next tune, we're going to do a jazz classic by Herb Alpert called Rise. Mr.
Joe Friedman, can you please come to the stage, my boy? Hey, don't hurt him now.
Put your hands together for Mr. Joe Freeman, everybody. Now, don't be shy. Put your hands together for
Mr. Jeff Parker, too, y'all. Whoo. Hey, y'all boys cold, man. Y'all boys cold. Now, for this next election,
we just want to pay homage to the late, great, legendary saxophonist, Mr. David Sanborn. To y'all that
don't know a little bit about David Sanborn, you know, he's an amazing jazz musician. He dominated in
all other genres, but jazz was his thing. You know what I'm saying? And he passed away a little bit ago.
So for this next one, we just wanna let you guys know that his legacy is still living on today in this
band, in this ensemble. So right now, we just wanna give you straight from the heart. Take it away, Connor.
since we all getting, you know, becoming family and everything, how y'all feeling so far? Because these
boys, these boys right here, they work the hardest out of everybody. So give them another round of applause,
please. Yes. Now for this next tune, we're going to give y'all a little bit of BT Express. Who all know
BT Express here? Okay. Okay. So for those of y'all that don't know, BT Express is a funk disco group
based out of Brooklyn.
You know what I'm saying? Them boys were from the streets for real. But they also birthed one of the
modern godfathers of R&B nowadays, Mr. Kashif. Now, if you don't know who Kashif is, Kashif is behind
the, let me see if you guys know this song. Oh, you make my love come down. Oh, you make my love. Y'all
know that song? Love Come Down, Mrs. Evelyn Champagne King. He's a mastermind behind You Give Good Love
by Whitney Houston and
He was the one who brought the bass synth to modern R&B nowadays. So for y'all, I just want to take
y'all on this ride on the BT Express. Go ahead, y'all.
Yeah, that's right, that's right. All right, so this next tune, who knows by a great singer-songwriter
by the name of Luther Vandross? All right, all right, all right, all right. All right, so this next
one, you know, a lot of people really don't know it like that, but the yearners know what it is. You
know what a yearner is? Okay, okay, okay, we're in the right place. Bruzen, you got me? This is Take
You Out by Luther Vandross.
It's my surprise, I must say, cause I never had seen such a pretty face with such a warm and beautiful
smile. It wasn't hard for me to notice her style. I was surprised I didn't show her me. She took my
heart and healed me for me. I wouldn't let her get away, not until she heard me say. It's good for the
miss, but what's your name? Where are you from? Here I come, I've got some weed. Can I take you?
the chance for romance. And I walk away knowing I tried my best and I'm going, I'm going on with my
day, cause at least she heard me say.
That's why I had to come over and introduce myself to you.
Mr. Caleb Bailey, everybody. Give him a round of applause, Mr. Caleb. Woo! Hey, boy. Hey, now. Now,
for this next one, we're going to actually give y'all the hottest R&B song on the charts right now.
Know what I'm saying? See, a fun fact about this song is when she performed this on I Heart Radio, the
music awards, our alumnus, he actually arranged it.
And he is her MD right now. So right now, we want to give you Folded by Kehlani, arranged by Mr. Alex
Goldblatt, everybody. So with you along.
All right, I know we already sang a Janet song, but I'm gonna hit y'all with another one. Bam, go ahead
and hit me again. So we do wanna thank you guys for coming out and supporting us. It means so much to
us. Thank you for coming together again. So yeah, that's the song we're gonna sing by Janet.
Thank you everybody. We gonna stay in the 90s for a little minute. How many of y'all know about a group
called Ideal? Okay, okay. Well, regardless if you do or don't, I just want you guys to just vibe with
us, okay? Is that cool? Just vibe with us, just vibe with us. Come on, hit me up, y'all. One, two, three,
four, one, two. Y'all, don't be afraid to get up and dance, you know what I'm saying?
I like it when you move up close to me. Same scene, crying, holding me. Real close because it's supposed
to be, baby. I like it when you put that band on me.
Making it harder in between, baby. Whatever you want to do. Whether it's at home, whether it's at home.
It's up to you. Whatever you want to do. So you want to move. Show me how you move. What you're going
to do. Because I'm what I'm bound to. Tonight, I just got paid.
You can choose the place we go. Or stay home on this merry snow. You choose the scenario tonight.
Come on now. Come on, y'all take over, come on.
I feel that, come on.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
All right, give it up for Jason one more time, y'all. All right, this next song we got is by a woman
named Phyllis Hyman. How many of y'all know Phyllis Hyman? All right, this was a song. This is actually
one of her most popular songs. She made this song in 1977. Band, y'all ready?
We got my brother, Mr. Jay Humphrey, y'all. We got two guitarists, Eric Olson and my boy, Anthony Lewis.
Give it up for them, y'all. Now on these keys, we got my brother, Mr. Jayden Sanders. Y'all, give it
up for Jayden. Now on this beautiful vocalist, we got my boy, Mr. Caleb Bailey, y'all. Chloe Williams.
Ms. Naila Rae, everyone. Faith Henderson, everybody.
And yours too, and your boy Jason Lott. You know what I'm saying. Come on, y'all. Woo. All right, y'all.
It's time for the takeover. Y'all been sitting down for way too long. I need y'all to get up.
It's a party. You know what I'm saying? Come on. You got to do it yourself.
I see you. Come on, make some noise, y'all. Let's go. If it was you, you or me, you're gonna be winning.
If you want something better, you gotta want to give your all. Because I believe so much in we, I know
we're not kidding.
If you're the same as me, yeah, you've got to want to take the ball. Now I'm bound down, but nothing
is given. Don't know where the cards may fall. All I know is that we've got to get it. We've got to
put this on the road. I guess we'll get it on the road.
Come on, come on. Take me somewhere true. Come on, come on. Gotta, gotta take me home. Gotta, gotta,
gotta take me home. Come on, y'all. Let's go. Bring it, Daphne, back. Come on.
We're in control. I see y'all. Everybody make some noise, y'all. I said we're in control.
So I guess we're gonna have to take control. Say it's been so too long. Come on, come on. Too hard to
handle, too comfortable. Everything's got to stay in control. Y'all sound good. Y'all gotta take it
home. Y'all gotta take it home, yeah. Come on, come on, yeah.
Got to, got to take it home. Got to, got to, got to take it home. Now this next song, if you sitting
down, I don't know how you sitting down. I need you to get up off your seats and get on your feet. There's
plenty of room right up here. Y'all don't be afraid to come by to move with us. You know what I'm saying?
I don't bite. I don't bite. Come on, come on.
Turn it down, really? Yeah, I see you, brother. Whoo! So excited. Thank you. Let me see y'all. Girl,
you're looking sweeter now. Whoo! You got it every day, girl. Wish that I could love you right, yeah.
In a special way, girl.
Let me hear y'all sing. You blow my mind. I'm satisfied. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Come on. You're not me,
y'all. So excited.
Take it away now, come on. Shabaraba, sweet, sweet, sweet.
Hey, don't y'all go nowhere. We got one for y'all. Wow. Wow. Yeah. Come on, y'all. Woo. Let me say something.
You are a bad, bad missus.
You know, skin tight, precious. You know what I'm saying? You're running, folks, in dick chest. Maybe
you're about to bust a stick chest. Yeah. Come on. Skin tight. Yeah. One more time. Skin tight.
Don't know where to sing along. Come on. Skit tight. Skit tight. Woo. Come on. Look back.
Come on now. Okay, for this next one, I need my brother, Mr. Kayla Bailey, to come help me with this
one now. Y'all don't go nowhere, because we gonna take y'all back to 1990. Now, do y'all know some brothers
by the name of Bell Biv Devo? I don't think y'all heard me. Do y'all know some brothers by the name
of Bell Biv Devo? Okay, okay. We gonna put some poison in y'all system. Hey, Prop, hit me off, man.
of an appraisal for the fact. You know what I'm saying? You ready, Steve? I'm ready. Say so, you ready?
I'm ready. Is y'all ready?
I think she's the best thing in the world. Come on. She's so right. She'll drive you right out of your
mind. Steal your heart and your mind. She'll make you think you're dreaming. You'll fall in love and
you'll be screaming.
Come on, y'all, welcome. Put your hands up, come on.
Poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison.
Poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison,
poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison, poison
What they say? Hey, y'all ready for this one now? Say where them fans at? Where them fans at? Come on.
Where them fans at? Hit me one time. Hit me two times. Come on.
Oh, I got marbles on the ground. It's on the ground. Yeah. Where the bands at. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. I
got marbles on the ground. It's on the ground. Y'all know what I'm saying. Get it by your seat. Let
your body move. Cameras and cowgirls, you're feeling the groove. Sippin' on moonshine. Fire barrel rolling.
I'ma get behind it.
Oh, I got my boots on the ground. One more time, y'all. Oh, I got my boots on the ground. Oh, I got
my boots on the ground, baby. Please, everybody.
Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. We are the IU Soul Revue.
And I hate to inform y'all, but this is the last song of our show. I know, I know, I know. I understand.
But can we give a shout out to the Soul Revue alum in the house, everybody? Come on, put your hands
together. Thank y'all for representing. Thank y'all for showing up. You know what I'm saying? So for
this last song,
If you want to put your lights up in the air right, make the whole room look like a disco ball. You
know what I'm saying? Band, is y'all ready? Vocals, is y'all ready? Hey, is y'all ready? Is y'all good?
I think my ears might be a little bit broke. I couldn't hear y'all that well. Is y'all good? One more
time to raise the roof. Is y'all good? We're going to give y'all a little bit of ooh child. Come on, y'all.
amazing audience, you know what I'm saying? Y'all was vibing the whole time. We want to say thank you
to the tech crew. Thank you to the amazing people here at Buskerk Chungley. Thank you to Jada, our road
manager. Thank you to Arielle, our vocal coach. Thank you to Everett Taylor out there doing his single
tour right now. Thank you to all of you guys for making this happen. We are the IU stove review.
Come on, y'all, let's take a bow.