Soul Palooza Volume 2

Friday, November 15, 2024

8:00 pm - 1:00 am

• 8 pm - 10 pm - Happy hour, industry networking, and host hors d'oeuvres
• 9 pm - 1:00 am - Entertainment

Venue: Stage 722 / Morrison Market

Elevated Events, Black Portland, The Bespeak Collective, and the Portland Skanner have teamed up to present a live urban music series at the spacious upscale music venue, Stage 722/Morrison Market.

This Friday night music series features talented up-and-coming local, regional, and national performing acts and solo artists! The show's vibe is irresistible, compelling, and delivers a spine-tingling onstage production for true soul junkies. Enjoy breakout neo-soul guest artists Jové and Nehemiah for an intimate, elevated, unforgettable evening of dining and dancing to Neo-Soul and R&B music by PDX creatives.

Tickets:

• $15 - General Admission (advance)
• $20 - General Admission (day of, at door)
• $35 - VIP Admission (with dinner)

Dinner menu includes Garlic Brisket + Green Beans + Mac.

SOUL PALOOZA Vol. 2 is a next-level collaboration from the genius of renowned influencer and solo recording artist, Ronnie Wright. He is also the mastermind behind the "BESPEAK COLLECTIVE PROJECT" and will bring his unique and infectious vocal style to this entertainment extravaganza along with local phenom Alonzo Chadwick! At Stage 722, he will perform and has curated an all-male vocal lineup featuring special guest talents Jove and Nehemiah!

The band consists of a seasoned, versatile super unit featuring Steve McCoy (keys), Walt Dean (percussions), Chris Turner (bass), and the renowned Eldon T. Jones (sax). This group is INCREDIBLE!

Alonzo Chadwick is an acclaimed vocalist from the Pacific Northwest, celebrated for his powerful performances that provide a unique, soul-touching experience. He has been a featured soloist with the Grammy-nominated Oregon Symphony for 16 years, sharing the stage with musical greats like Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, and India Arie. He has also performed for civil rights leaders like the late Congressman John Lewis and Dr. C.T. Vivian. In addition to his musical career, Chadwick is an advocate for music education, a poet, an actor, and served as CEO of BRAVO Youth Orchestras for nearly three years. Recently, he demonstrated his versatility and talent by contributing his voice to a Nike commercial celebrating LeBron James. Founding Zoulful Muzic in 2017, he has since toured the country. His ability to inspire change and touch hearts through his music speaks to his extraordinary talent and deep empathy.

Eldon T. Jones moves hearts through his profoundly genuine playing and an infectious groove he honed in Portland before becoming a nationally recognized smooth jazz artist and electrifying festival performer. Learn more: eldontjones.com

Eli Hardy, known by his stage name Jové, is an R&B singer and musician from Portland, OR. With roots in church music and a love for ’90s R&B, Jové’s sound is a smooth, soulful blend that captivates audiences. He began his professional journey at just 9 years old and honed his skills touring the U.S. with his father, gaining strong stage presence along the way. Now a seasoned artist, he has recorded hit songs and headlined events along the West Coast. Jové can often be found performing at Upper Room Live in Portland, sharing the stage with talented musicians and fellow vocalists.

Nehemiah is here on the music scene to stay—one word: Wow! Raised in his father’s church, Nehemiah has been performing music in one form or another for most of his life. He recorded his first song by the age of 12, and at 15, he headlined his first concert in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, with proceeds going towards teenage victims of domestic violence. It was after that concert that Nehemiah was convinced he wanted to pursue music professionally. His teenage experiences opened the door for Nehemiah to later join Soul, a gospel group signed to a subsidiary of the Hendrix record Universal label. This release spent nine weeks on the Billboard gospel charts, peaking at number 36. Though the group was short-lived, it provided Nehemiah the opportunity to tour the states and establish relationships that would bear fruit in the years to come.

Ronnie Wright is a dreamer, blessed with parents who allowed him to explore and express creativity through art and music. In fact, music was more like family. His love for God and family sparks his desire to be a blessing to others, which greatly influences his creative language, purpose, and spiritual connection.

The year 2015 marked a huge win for Ronnie. His collaborative vision, entitled BESPEAK LOVE, reached #1 on the UK SOUL CHARTS in November 2015. The album also received Artist of the Year (Editor's Choice) from the highly recognized SOULTRACKS.com.

His 2018 debut solo album, a.k.a. BESPEAK, was voted 2018’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR by Groundbreakers.com. This album was honored to receive several awards from the indie radio community, including #1 Album of 2018 - Mi-Soul Connoisseurs, #1 on the UK SOUL CHARTS in March 2018, #8 on the UK SOUL CHART Top 100 for 2018, and many more! Ronnie's second collaborative album (BESPEAK EMPOWER – 2021) features some of the Northwest’s most talented singers, songwriters, and musicians. The mission was the same: collaboration, but this time featuring an eclectic mix of soul, funk, R&B, and gospel—a true reflection of the dream.

Supported by: Ketel One Vodka, KBOO Radio, Portland Skanner Newspaper, KeyBank, Music Portland, Nike, Adidas, Black United Fund, Riverpoint Medical, and Elevate Unity, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit.