Q2 Feed - Jazz in the Garden_Feed
The International African American Museum (IAAM) today announced its upcoming program on Saturday, April 19, "Jazz in the Garden: Featuring Charlton & Friends," an afternoon of live music set against the backdrop of the museum's African Ancestors Memorial Garden. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festivities will feature the exceptional talents of Grammy Award-winning musicians and Charleston's own Charlton Singleton & Friends. Hosting the program will be local singer-songwriter and Executive Artistic Director of The ZD Experience, Zandrina Dunning.
"We are honored to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with Jazz in the Garden," said Brandon Reid, IAAM's Public Historian. "What better way to celebrate this genre than by honoring its Lowcountry roots—sounds born of resistance, resilience, and community—in a space that uplifts ancestral legacy and cultural continuity? Jazz is more than music; it’s a living thread of the African American experience and its enduring impact on American culture."
Singleton is a native of Awendaw, S.C., and began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano. In addition to being a musician, he is a speaker, clinician, composer, arranger, and the founding member of the Grammy® Award-nominated band Ranky Tanky, a quintet group that interprets the sounds of Gullah from the Southeast Coast of the United States. His dynamic performances and deep musical knowledge have captivated audiences worldwide.
This year’s program highlights the deep connections between jazz and Gullah traditions, featuring a special Ring Shout workshop led by Singleton. The day will continue with a Creative Dance Workshop led by acclaimed movement artist Jordan Maria, culminating in an electrifying performance from Charlton & Friends.
Guests are invited to gather in the IAAM’s African Ancestors Memorial Garden to enjoy the performance and workshops in comfort—complete with complimentary Southern barbecue from the legendary Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ.
Tickets for youth and adults are free and can be purchased in advance here.
