Ma'am: An evening with JR Rhodes and friends

On Saturday March 29, we celebrate and open our hearts to the latest album from J.R. Rhodes, “Ma’am.”

Experience the warm embrace of live performance, album listening, and the story behind the music. Ma'am is a collection of songs inspired by the lives, works, and wisdoms of women of colour artists and is dedicated to the life and spirit of J.R. Rhodes’ mother, Barbara J. Pruitt Rhodes.

Saturday March 29
Doors at 6:00pm, program begins at 7:00pm
At The Grocery Studios, 3001 21st Ave S, Seattle 98144
Light snacks and beverages provided

With live performance by
J.R. Rhodes (Voice, Guitar, Songwriting)
Amy Denio (Voice, Ukulele, Flute, Accordion)
Erin McBride Stone (Voice)

A conversation about the music will be facilitated by Frances McCue

Tickets: $20 suggested donation
Limited capacity -- reserve your seat!
Pay what is perfect as you’re able, whatever you can from where you are.
Sharing your spirit and sharing from your heart is the entry fee. And if you’re able to contribute more, you are welcome to. All are welcome.
All ticket revenue goes to the performers.

All the things in the spirit of connection and Love.

Many thanks to folks who’ve shared their voices on the record:

(in alphabetical order)

Dave Abramson (Drums), Ed Brooks (Song Running Order), Mell Dettmer (Mastering), Melanie Dyer (Viola), Lori Goldston (Cello), Benjamin Hunter (Guitar), Elnah Jordan (Voice), Gwen Laster (Violin), Jessica Lurie (Flute), Erin McBride Stone (Voice), Eric Padget (Producer, Flugel Horn), Allison Preisinger (Voice), Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (Percussion), Josh Rawlings (Piano, Nord), Evan Strauss (Bass)

*Special thanks to Lori Goldston and Eric Padget for music journeying with Ma’am from the start.

photos by Michelle Smith-Lewis

About JR Rhodes

https://www.jrrhodesco.com/

Singer-songwriter J.R. Rhodes believes in the transformative power of music.

From her first open-mic performances at the O.K. Hotel to her latest album, these beliefs in the transformative power of music are distilled into songs of quiet intensity that traverse spirituals, folk, blues, jazz, and rock.

Rhodes muses, “It’s easy to be cynical. It takes a lot to be intentional. It takes a lot to dream. It takes a lot to love.” Rhodes earned her B.A. in music composition from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. Jazz artists Bill Lowe and Anthony Braxton were teachers at Wesleyan who encouraged her to explore and push beyond any self-imposed boundaries. These lessons enabled her to continually grow and evolve her music.

Her full-length albums include Ma’am (2024), I Am (2017), Elixir (2011), AfriQueen Stare (2003), and Songs of Angels (1999). Additional works that demonstrate Rhodes’ creative range are Lullabies (2013), a performance of traditional spirituals with On the Boards; as well as 2 Old Chicks (2005), a 50-piece orchestral film score created in collaboration with Doris Bartha and Steve Brush. In 2020, J.R. recorded a single, ‘Spilt Milk’ for the compilation album Songs Collected released by Drums & Wires Recordings. That same year she sang harmony vocals on folk singer-songwriter Jim Page’s album Now is the Time. In 2021, she recorded her rendition of the traditional folk song ‘Black is the Colour’ with cellist Lori Goldston.

J.R. Rhodes Company (JRRC) is the home of J.R. Rhodes music, founded in 1996 to focus on creating live and recorded music solo and in collaboration. Hear select works here.

Visiting The Grocery Studios

The Grocery Studios is a private home and art studio in a residential neighborhood of North Beacon Hill, Seattle. Street parking is limited. Please consider a rideshare or a 7 minute walk from the bus or Beacon Hill light rail station. We want to be respectful of our residential neighborhood!

The Grocery Studios is at 3001 21st Ave S, Seattle WA 98144

The studio has an accessible entrance and restroom. Please contact us if you need other accommodation.

Host or Publisher The Grocery Studios