We all know the story…Once upon a time there was a band of immensely talented musicians fronted by Sophia Ramos and Mike Ciro. That band screamed their way through NYC, got noticed, got signed, got a record made, and then got the shaft from their label for being ‘unsellable’ (apparently in their eyes, black and brown people in a rock band presented a marketing challenge they weren’t ready to accept). Fast-forward 20 years, and they’re back—shelved album in hand—to remind everyone of why they turned so many heads in the first place. If you weren’t there and weren’t able to get your hands on “SHOT IN THE HEAD,” at the one-and-only reunion of SOPHIA’S TOY, let us know and we’ll see if we can direct you to the right people. Needless to say, they killed it. And justified their reputation as bad-asses as did BRC stalwarts MilitiA. Vox and pILLOW tHEORY. JULY 9, 2015.

‘Sisters, Songwriters & Sirens’ celebrates the important and often under-appreciated contributions Black women make to culture through music, expression, perspective, and visibility. Heading overseas for a 6-show, 12-day tour of France, this was the third time our host Chateauvallon had called upon the talents of our all-female lineup to bring audiences to their feet in the name of Nina, Tina, Betty, Rosetta, Abbey, Big Mama, Maybelle, Aretha, Memphis Minnie, Miriam, Maxayn, Joan, Grace, Chaka, Jayne, Nona and Sugar Pie…not to mention originals by members of the killer Orchestra led by powerhouse Tamar-kali.   The 2 performances at Chateauvallon sold out, Paris had a respectable crowd for a three-night residence, but we killed in Lyon—selling out the 1200 seat venue and having the people on their feet screaming for more by the 7th song. We hope to be welcomed back soon…

With Man Mosh I and II, (which we could not have done without generous performances from Living Colour, 24-7 Spyz, Ronny Drayton and Reverend Kim Leslie, Nona Hendryx, Burnt Sugar, DJ Afrika Bambaataa, The Sugarhill Gang, and others), we were able to bring folks together, call attention to the issue of unjust incarceration, and help raise money for Donovan Drayton’s Legal Defense Fund (glad he’s finally home!).

With Million Man Mosh III, we continued the spirit of community-building and action-taking with performances from the very-vocal Tamar-kali, Garland Jeffreys, and Dragons of Zynth with Saul Williams. This time, the focus was on policing and the need for loud and progressive voices for change.

Action Leaders: Malcolm X Grassroots Movement

Make Me Wanna Holler: Progressive Voices for Progressive Action (<click for the PDF)

The resurrection of BRC showcase vehicle BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA featured live and loud sets by The Dust Rays (w/ Kirk Douglas + Mark kelley of the Roots and Ricc Sheridan of Earl Greyhound), Year of The Dragon (from LA w/ Dirty Walt of Fishbone), MilitiA.Vox (of Judas Priestess). DJ SugarfreeBK. Hosts Laina Dawes (author of “What Are You Doing Here”) and Kelsey Warren (of pILLOW tHEORY).

It was also the official after-party for the opening night of the week-long run of DEATH METAL ANGOLA in NYC. Do yourself a favor and support this awesome documentary, which is now also available on iTunes.

The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra Performed PEOPLE HOLD ON: Motown’s Civil Rights Anthems and Political Soul

On the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in the midst of present-day civil unrest, the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, featuring an all-star cast that includes jessica Care moore, Don Byron, Ronny Drayton, Doron Flake, V. Jeffrey Smith, Lisette Santiago, Everett Bradley, Marcus Machado, Gene Williams, Andre Lassalle, Mary Wormworth, Maritri Garrett, David Barnes, LaFrae Sci, and Kelsey Warren performed classic and rare Motown anthems to Black political struggle.

The repertoire included classics and rarities by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Syreeta, Smokey Robinson, Martha & The Vandellas and more, songs that speak to the precarious political condition of African-Americans for the last half-century.

Watch the show here

July 26, 2014 Lincoln Center Out Of Doors, 2p FREE   With “Deep Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra transported us back in time and into the future with a rousing homage to the Pioneers, Founders, Innovators, Technicians, Trailblazers and Instigators of the genre. Under the Musical Direction and Design of Toshi Reagon, the monstrously-talented members of this world-class Orchestra recreated the spark that blew minds and kindled an industry. This was classic Black Rock Coalition Orchestra. With our every breath, our very blood, we celebrate the Originals. The ones from whom we all flow. Now and always, we acknowledge the before, the during, and the everlasting after. Rock ‘n’ Roll… Musical Direction and Design: Toshi Reagon Host/DJ/Narration: Carl Hancock Rux Special Guests: Nona Hendryx Vernon Reid Corey Glover Tamar-kali KimberlyNichole Karma Mayet Johnson Jason Walker Ganessa James, Electric Bass Robert “Chicken” Burke, Drums Mimi Jones, Upright Bass Juliette Jones, Violin V. Jeffrey Smith, Horns Ronny Drayton, KiKi Hawkins, Asa Asa Lovechild Adaku Utah, Dance

Grace Jones is what so many others try to be—multidimensional, international, masculine, feminine, musical, visual, global, iconic, unexpected, irrepressible, undeniable, and Black. In short, everything the Black Rock Coalition has whole-heartedly supported since its founding almost 30 years ago.

The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, as part of its Artist In Residence series at Joe’s Pub, presented ‘STATE OF GRACE,’ a freak-flag waving retrospective of the musical genius behind such enduring anthems as ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’, ‘My Jamaican Guy’, ‘Slave To The Rhythm’, among many others. Gordon Voidwell, whose latest project, Bad Etudes has been drawing universal critical raves, curated the band while rising star and sonic renegade Tecla providing Musical Direction for the night. Booties shook and minds shimmied in this sultry, sonic salute to the larger-than-life siren whose appeal crosses genres and generations alike.

The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra (BRCO) has been the official performance arm of the Black Rock Coalition (BRC) since 1986. Through its ever-evolving, ever-revolving incarnations, some of the most accomplished progressive artists of color have paid homage to significant bodies of work by noted progressive artists in some of the world’s most respected venues and festivals—honoring such artists as Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield, Betty Davis, Santana, Gil Scott-Heron and others.     The BRC is the nation’s only non-profit, member-supported organization founded to facilitate the maximum empowerment, exposure and expression of Black alternative musicians as artists.     “The BRC’s tribute shows have been a great fact of New York life since the activist group’s founding in 1985. The BRC has long been rich in underestimated talent.” -David Fricke, Rolling Stone

The BRC Orchestra once again gave it up to one of the greats. Enlisting some legendary talents of our own to bridge cultures, communities, genres, and continents through the sounds that connect us all.

FEATURED:
Vernon Reid (Living Colour, Masque, James ‘Blood’ Ulmer) – creative direction
Corey Glover (Living Colour, Galactic, Corey Glover & V.I.C.E.)
Coati Mundi (Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band)
Ronny Drayton (Nona Hendryx, Defunkt, Edwin Birdsong)
LaFrae Sci (Burnt Sugar, 13th Amendment)
Lisette Santiago
Nappy G (Groove Collective)
Melvin Gibbs (Harriet Tubman, Socialybrium, Black Sun)
Gene Williams (Freddie Jackson, Harlem Boys Choir)
Leon Gruenbaum (Masque, My Science Project, The Negro Problem, Genes & Machines)
V. Jeffrey Smith (Soulfolk Experience, Sandra St. Victor, The Family Stand)
Wayne Cobham
Sophia Ramos
Christian Mendoza
Marcus Machado

Altogether awe-inspiring… 
 
With “Deep Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra transported us back in time and into the future with a rousing homage to the Pioneers, Founders, Innovators, Technicians, Trailblazers and Instigators of the genre. Under the Musical Direction and Design of Toshi Reagon, the monstrously-talented members of this world-class Orchestra recreated the spark that blew minds and kindled an industry. 
 
This was classic Black Rock Coalition Orchestra. With our every breath, our very blood, we celebrate the Originals. The ones from whom we all flow. Now and always, we acknowledge the before, the during, and the everlasting after. 
 Many thanks are also due to Isabel Soffer of LiveSounds.org, who curated this awesome night at the Schimmel Center. And thank you too to BRC Board of Directors member Bill Bragin (globalfest-ny.com) for making the connection.
 
Rock ‘n’ Roll… 
 
Musical Direction and Design: Toshi Reagon
Host/DJ/Narration: Carl Hancock Rux
 
Special Guests:
Nona Hendryx
Vernon Reid
Corey Glover
Marc Anthony Thompson aka Chocolate Genius
Matt Whyte
Tamar-kali
KimberlyNichole
Karma Mayet Johnson
Marcelle Davies-Lashley
Jason Walker
Fred Cash, Jr, Electric Bass
Robert “Chicken” Burke, Drums
Mimi Jones, Upright Bass
Juliette Jones, Violin
V. Jeffrey Smith, Horns
Ronny Drayton, KiKi Hawkins, Asa Asa Lovechild
Adaku Utah, Dance