Creative Concord’s jam celebrates originality

CONCORD, CA (Sept. 19, 2024) — Two years ago, Creative Concord’s first Art Jam in the Park took over Todos Santos Plaza.

Artists painted on oversized canvases all weekend, while a DJ spun tunes to keep the vibe right and allow the creativity to blossom.

The two-day event returned last year as Art & Music Jam in the Park, with live music performances from local artists on day two. The live music was so well-received that this year’s event will include live music on both Oct. 5 and 6. The majority of this year’s line-up features bands and artists performing original music, further showcasing the creative spirit that makes this event so unique.

Kicking off this year’s live music is Vallejo artist Nicholas Hasty, who performs under the name “Soul Glitch.” He’s a one-man band who, through live-looping of synthesizers, drum machines and wind instruments, creates a tapestry of sound he calls “epic soultronica.” A return act from last year’s event, Hasty is thrilled to once again partake in this unique experience.

“As a musical artist, I don’t find this anywhere else,” he says. “It’s an uplifting experience to be in the presence of such incredible visual artists creating and sharing their original pieces of art while I get to share my own original music with this community. These are the moments in time that I live for.”

Bridging the gap

Saturday’s middle act is Skinny Hendrixx and the Earthtones, an eight-piece band that brings a unique flavor of hip-hop reminiscent of the early ’90s era, with jazz and soul elements that attendees are sure to find inviting.

“When we began as a band, it was very important to me that we bridge the gap between hip-hop and other genres due to the stigmas that surround hip-hop and hip-hop culture,” shares Jesse Ray, aka Skinny Hendrixx, who is elated to be playing Concord’s downtown stage.

“Concord has been like a second home to us,” says the Oakland-based lyricist. “The music scene here is quite remarkable for a city of its size, which I attribute to strong leadership as much as the artists themselves. Being invited to play at a community event like this is incredibly gratifying and a great proof of concept. We look forward to creating wonderful memories with everyone who attends.”

Saturday’s live music will conclude with local Cumbia artist Chika Di. Along with her band, she’ll perform her vibrant original songs with infectious rhythms that are sure to get attendees moving.

“As a Colombian artist who immigrated to Concord 17 years ago, it means the world to be able to show my project to my very own community,” expressed Diana Trujillo, aka Chika Di. “It’s a blessing to be able to share my roots and music and to bring the Latin swing and colors to Creative Concord.”

Distinct voice

Day 2’s live music begins with a performance by Emily Afton, a singer-songwriter who will be on a mini-tour in support of her album “Circaa,” due out Oct. 24. Afton has a distinct voice, rich with texture, that lends itself well to her style of music, which NPR once appropriately described as “wonderful, wonderful electro-pop that’s weary of life, but positive.”

Afton is excited by the “nowness” that Creative Concord expresses and celebrates.

“I love knowing that this moment of experiencing all of this art together at the same time will only ever happen once. It feels very special to be a part of. So much of being a creator these days is digitized and created for future use, but this experience will ground us in the moment knowing that it will probably never happen again exactly as it is happening now.”

Sunday’s middle act is the genre-blending Oakland-based group The Seshen. In an effort to describe their sound, the six-piece act says their music exists “in the space between waking and dreaming, ego and collective consciousness, at that blurred horizon where earth meets sea meets sky.” Less abstractly put, The Seshen weaves atmospheric soundscapes with hypnotic melodies and assertive rhythms, often culminating in intense crescendos that pull you in.

Local reggae group Paper Kayak will close out the event on Sunday as they did last year, with an irie set of islandy renditions of familiar, positive tunes to dance and sing along to as the event winds down.

Additional live music happening off the main stage include performances by Diablo Taiko, Solo Opera, the local graduating class of Guitar Not Guns and modern fingerstyle guitarist katgrüvs.

For a full schedule, visit creativeconcordca.com.

Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.