Experimental Blues pairs artists of juxtaposing styles in intimate concerts to create, highlight, and explore the intersection of Blues with other Black American music and musical genres—such as Negro spirituals, gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, hip hop, and more. Explore the Blues Series >>
This season’s three Experimental Blues concerts conclude with Diunna Greenleaf & Marvin Tate. The leader of Blue Mercy, Greenleaf is a native Houstonian (Texas) with a background steeped in gospel music. Hailing from the West Side of Chicago, Tate is a multidisciplinary artist and award-winning educator whose works explore spirituality, culture, race, and class politics through personal narratives and history by weaving storytelling with song, poetry, improvisation, and theater.
Diunna Greenleaf has been influenced by the likes of Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Rosetta Thorpe, Sam Cooke, Charles Brown, and her own parents, gospel artists Ben & Mary Ella Greenleaf. She combines intricate patches of jazz, gospel, and heartfelt soul to create a kind of blues that takes one on an emotional roller coaster ride. Diunna and Blue Mercy have performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. You don’t want to miss this rare local performance by one of the genre’s brightest stars. diunna.com
Marvin Tate is a visual artist, vocalist/poet, and improviser. He has recorded and performed with various artists including the late Jamie Branch’s, Jazz Drummer, Pitch-Fork Music Founder, Mike Reed, The Bitchin Bahas, multi-instrumentalists, Ben LaMar Gay, Angel Bat Dawid, Bill McKay, Leroy Bach, Temple of Doom, Feminist/Artist, and legendary Porn Actress, Annie Sprinkle, Alabaster Deplume, , Funkidellic, Visual artist, Theaster Gates Jr. ,Circuit Des Yeux, Sunny War, Tim Kinsella, and Angel Olsen. Lastly Tate is the founder of the legendary experimental-soul band, D-settlement. Their 3-vinyl box set (American DreamRecords) was voted ‘The Best Of’ in Pitchfork magazine, Band Camp, and The NY Times in 2022. Presently, he is the vocalist and lyricist for the band, 'Mike Reed’s Separatist Party’. artistmarvintate.com
PURCHASE TICKETS
Single Tickets: $10 General / $5 Students, Seniors (60+), & children 12 & under.
Blues Bundle: $64 General. The Blues Bundle includes Experimental Blues (February & April) events and both Mainstage Blues events.
Seating in our popular, intimate Performance Penthouse is limited; purchase your tickets today!