FREE EVENT: From Louis to Aretha

From the jazz clubs of New Orleans to the sanctuaries of the Black church, few musical traditions have shaped American music more profoundly. From Louis to Aretha traces that powerful musical lineage, exploring how the sounds of jazz and gospel came together to create a new language of soul.
Inspired by the artistry and innovation of Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin carried the freedom and expressiveness of jazz into her own music. At the same time, she drew deeply from her roots in the church, where her extraordinary voice was first heard and nurtured. Yet when Aretha began bringing that gospel power to pop and R&B, she challenged expectations and sometimes faced resistance from the very community that had helped shape her.
Experience the music of Louis and Aretha side by side and discover the powerful connections between the sounds that inspired them, the extraordinary artistry that made each of them a legend.