Last Wednesday's appearance at World Chess Hall of Fame's Monthly Music Series by Good 4 the Soul was indeed just that. A week filled with bad news and more rain seemed brighter because of the quartet's soothing sounds. The group includes from left, James A. Jackson II on drums, Shaun Robinson on guitar, John King on bass, and Adaron "Pops" Jackson on keyboard.
Against the backdrop of World Chess's current exhibition, Marcel Dzama's Mischief Makes a Move (shown on wall behind the musicians), the packed house was thoroughly charmed by Good 4 the Soul's musical selections which ranged across jazz, funk, gospel and R & B.
St. Louisan Anita Jackson, a graduate of New York's American Music and Dramatic Academy, sang a few lovely tunes during the hour-long performance. Jackson has recorded and performed as a background vocalist for Bette Midler, Mariah Carey, and Cissy and Whitney Houston, among others. The fabulous chanteuse is scheduled to perform at Jazz at the Bistro on July 18.
Pops Jackson thanked Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, founders of the neighborhood's world-renowned Chess Club and Scholastic Center and World Chess Hall of Fame, several times for hosting the music series and providing a venue for groups such as theirs to perform.
Tommy Halloran's Guerrilla Swing is next on the music series' calendar on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include a drink ticket and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. I'd say "spread the word" but since seating is limited, maybe we should keep this to ourselves?
World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland Avenue. For more information and to make reservations for the music series, contact Erica Kelly: [email protected] or online.