Twenty-Five Years of Legendary Performances at MetroTech

Danny Kapilian has brought some of the biggest and most exciting names in music to the BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech, our free Thursday-afternoon summer concert series, since 1995. Burning Spear, Percy Sledge, Sharon Jones, Ashford & Simpson … the list of all-stars who have transformed MetroTech Commons into a musical hotspot over the years is endless. We asked Danny about his original vision for the festival, some of the most memorable performances, and what he’s looking forward to this year.

“We have to keep on fighting”—Music and Activism at the R&B Festival at MetroTech

The lineup for this year’s outdoor R&B Festival at MetroTech includes new voices and established masters alike, from the worlds of R&B, funk, gospel, soul, jazz, and world music. Performances take place every Thursday at noon through Aug 9, and each concert is FREE and open to the public. Here, Marketing Intern Nadege Nau explores sociopolitical commentary in the work of a few of this summer's featured artists.

Delgres.

By Nadege Nau

If the work of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Childish Gambino is any indication, recording artists are seizing the moment to grapple with injustice and musically highlight the downtrodden realities of America. It follows that multiple artists at this year’s R&B Festival at MetroTech are channeling social dissonance in their music, too. Marcus Miller composed the score for the film Marshall (featuring this track performed by Andra Day and Common), while others are leveraging soothing harmonies and live instrumentation to express their grievances.

2018 BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech

Ranky Tank. Photo courtesy the artists.

By Danny Kapilian

Way back on June 15, 1995, the BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech opened with the great Percy Sledge:

“When a man loves a woman
Can’t keep his mind on nothing else
He’ll trade the world
For the good thing he’s found”

Those universal words of love are where our journey began—and now, 240 live performances later, the BAM R&B Festival has sustained that musical message of love with the same deep soul throughout.

BAM R&B Festival

The Suffers. Photo courtesy of the artists

On June 8, the BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech Commons in Downtown Brooklyn begins its 23rd season with a dynamic slate of live R&B, soul, and jazz. It includes familiar names—Ramsey Lewis, or the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band—plus new finds, chosen by longtime producer Danny Kapilian. Here’s a brief overview of the series lineup, which takes place on Thursdays from noon to 2pm, free of charge.

Jun 8—Ramsey Lewis was named a Jazz Master by the NEA. He has 80 albums, seven gold, and three Grammys. He became a fixture on the 1950s Chicago jazz scene, and worked with Earth, Wind & Fire, who appeared on his 1974 album Sun Goddess.

Jun 15—Raul Midón sang backup for Shakira and worked with Stevie Wonder. This emotionally powerful singer is known for his improvisational mouth-horn technique, performing a “trumpet” solo with his mouth.

Jun 22—The Suffers of Houston, TX comprises 10 members. Its “Gulf Coast Soul” braids in threads of rock, Latin, country, and southern hip-hop. Its big horn section and vocals by Kam Franklin have earned accolades and TV appearances.

Jun 29—John Hammond, acoustic guitar legend, had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band—at once. This Blues Hall of Famer and Grammy winner has 33 albums to his name.

July 6—Sinkane, a four-piece led by Ahmed Gallab, offers Afrobeat cadences, funky guitar, and slinky grooves, celebrating life with a generosity of spirit.

Jul 13—Tank and The Bangas blend rhythmic soul and spoken word. This New Orleans outfit, with intriguing lyrics, funky synth, sax, and flute won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

Jul 20—Preservation Hall Jazz Band is the house band of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall. Now in its 50th year, the group combines a reverence for deep tradition with fresh explorations.

Jul 27—El Septeto Santiaguero of Cuba explores and updates traditional son music. Its seven players won the 2015 Latin Grammy (Best Traditional Tropical Album), honing their chops at the famed Casa de la Trova nightclub.

Aug 3—Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles are a six-piece led by Henry, who debuted at the Apollo. Henry has won two Grammys with Snarky Puppy and has a huge fanbase.

Aug 10—Liv Warfield, Judith Hill, and Shelby J: Love 4 One Another are proteges of Prince, and continue his incomparable legacy under his charity’s namesake.

Need more? Check out a playlist of this year's artists over on Spotify.



Forest City Ratner Companies is Presenting Sponsor of BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech.

BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech Preview:Shuggie Otis

By Robert Wood

The BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech—BAM's free summertime showcase of heavy hitters from R&B, reggae, funk, and other genres—runs this year through August 8, with concerts happening (almost) every Thursday at noon. That means lunchtime for most, so for the full MetroTech experience, we suggest bringing takeout from a nearby restaurant and making an afternoon (or a long lunch break) out of it. Check back every week for these previews, which will also suggest appropriate eats to enjoy along with the music, and pigeons, in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Shuggie Otis
Thu, Aug 8 at 12pm

MetroTech Commons | map
Free

In a nutshell:
Son of R&B legend Johnny Otis and guitar prodigy who recently returned to the limelight after almost four decades of silence.

Genres:
Psychedelic soul, analog drum machine funk

BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech: Stooges Brass Band

By Robert Wood

The BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech—BAM's free summertime showcase of heavy hitters from R&B, reggae, funk, and other genres—runs this year through August 8, with concerts happening (almost) every Thursday at noon. That means lunchtime for most, so for the full MetroTech experience, we suggest bringing takeout from a nearby restaurant and making an afternoon (or a long lunch break) out of it. Check back every week for these previews, which will also suggest appropriate eats to enjoy along with the music, and pigeons, in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Stooges Brass Band
Thu, Jun 27 at 12pm

MetroTech Commons | map
Free

In a nutshell:
A tuba-driven brass outfit that nudges the exuberant New Orleans parade sound squarely into R&B and hip-hop territory.

Genres:
Straight-up Mardi Gras parade music, hip-hop over tuba bass, R&B

What to Know:
They recently won the Best Brass Band title at New Orleans’ Red Bull Street Kings Contest. But what’s really impressive about this group is how nimbly they go from more traditional second-line sounds (like this) to songs that could easily top the R&B and hip-hop charts (like this). Hardly a French Quarter tourist attraction, this band is a living, breathing embodiment of a new New Orleans.

BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech Preview: Bobby Rush

By Robert Wood


The BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech—BAM's free summertime showcase of heavy hitters from R&B, reggae, funk, and other genres—runs this year from June 6 until August 8, with concerts happening (almost) every Thursday at noon. That means lunchtime for most, so for the full MetroTech experience, we suggest bringing takeout from a nearby restaurant and making an afternoon (or a long lunch break) out of it. Check back every week for these previews, which will also suggest appropriate eats to enjoy along with the music, and pigeons, in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Bobby Rush
Thu, Jun 13 at 12pm This event has been canceled due to inclement weather. NOTE: Bobby Rush will perform Thu, Jul 24 as part of the 2014 R&B Festival at MetroTech.

MetroTech Commons | map
Free

In a nutshell:

Tell-it-like-it-is former Chitlin’ Circuit star and Chicago bluesman who tends towards the bawdy.

Genres:
Dirty funk and backroom electric blues

What to Know:
During live performances of his single “I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya” (see below), it isn't uncommon for Rush to address large portions of the song to his backup singers’ backsides, which have been known to respond in turn. Also telling: Rush’s single “Chicken Heads” was a perfect fit when used in the Samuel L. Jackson/Christina Ricci film Black Snake Moan, a racy piece of pulp cinema in which Ricci spends a significant amount of time chained to a radiator. But bawdiness aside, Rush absolutely owns the stage, and his consummate showmanship and bluesy funk are not to be missed.

MetroTech Preview: Mint Condtiion

by Robert Wood

The BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech—BAM's free summertime showcase of heavy hitters from R&B, reggae, funk, and other genres—runs this year from June 6 until August 8, with concerts happening (almost) every Thursday at noon. That means lunchtime for most folks, so for the full MetroTech experience, we suggest bringing a meal and making an afternoon (or a long lunch break) out of it if you can. Check back every week for these previews, which will also suggest appropriate eats to enjoy along with the music, and pigeons, in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Mint Condition

Thu, Jun 6 at 12pm
MetroTech Commons | map
Free

In a nutshell:

Ridiculously suave Twin Cities contemporary R&B band celebrating their 20th anniversary.

What to know:
Kings of the come-hither slow-jam and deeply influenced by fellow Minneapolis native Prince, Mint Condition truly arrived when it was hand-picked by the latter to be a part of his Welcome 2 America tour, which also featured acts like Maceo Parker, Chaka Khan, and the indomitable Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. Its single “Not My Daddy” (featuring Kelly Price) was nominated for two Grammys, and it remains one of the few high-profile self-contained black R&B bands around.