Art Ensemble of Chicago collaborator L T Beauchamp for rare London show at Heroes festival at Rich Mix
Thursday, February 9, 2023
The renowned musician and writer is set to perform as part of the Heroes festival at Rich Mix, London on 17 February
LT ‘Chicago Beau’ Beauchamp is a musician, writer, and publisher who, among many other achievements, was a major contributor to the album Certain Blacks by the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Set to perform at Rich Mix on Friday 17 February, this will be a rare chance to hear this pioneering artist play in the UK.
Born on the southside of Chicago in 1949, he grew up in a household where the music of luminaries Dinah Washington, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ruth Brown etc provided a constant soundtrack.
From the age of 10 until 15, Beau studied tap dancing with the great Afro-Cuban dancer and choreographer, Jimmy Payne. He participated in many Cabaret-type shows popular during that era. A show could consist of performances by Afro-Cuban dancers, magicians, tap dancers, jazz and blues performers, and drill teams. These inspirational shows offered young people an opportunity to participate with professionals in a community setting.
For his appearance at Heroes, Beau will be backed by a band of high calibre UK musicians led by bass player Miles Danso. The evening will include a blues performance from Beau, readings and a Q&A opportunity to discover more about his work with Art Ensemble of Chicago and the making of the seminal recording Certain Blacks.
The Heroes event returns this month for its ninth edition, having been awarded Arts Council England National Portfolio funding specifically to support diverse artists and programmes. Promoters of the Heroes festival, Certain Blacks, the East London arts development organisation, also take their name from the legendary AEC album.
Heroes, is a festival set to inspire and entertain audiences beginning with a celebration of international female musicians Maria Uzor, Helen Adove Hawk, Daphne Sadeh & duo Eastern Strings. As well, Heroes boasts an exclusive event from legendry grime innovators Ruff Sqwad plus an evening highlighting the verbal skills, frankness and humour of John-Paul Zaccarini - LGBTQ+ poet, stand-up and academic. As a finale, Heroes welcomes a rare visit from LT Beauchamp (AKA Chicago Beau), the esteemed Chicago blues innovator who played on the seminal 1970 album Certain Blacks by Art Ensemble of Chicago.
For more info and tickets visit certainblacks.com