Happy Holidays! In 2019, I finally started taking steps towards combining my dual passions of music and photography as a concert photographer. I have shot many shows unofficially for years, but I have to admit there is nothing like having an official photo pass and being in the pit! I appreciate These Subtle Sounds for giving me my first opportunities as an official concert photographer and wanted to share some of my favorite concerts of 2019!
Chaka Khan @ The Warner Theatre – 11.16.2019
I was lucky enough to be in the third row from the Warner Theatre stage to see Chaka and she did NOT disappoint! Chaka sounded great and sang many of her (solo and Rufus) classics while interacting often with the crowd (soliciting their input on songs she should sing next and allowing some to sing parts of her iconic setlist). Chaka also has an amazing band and background singers, which makes her show a must see.
Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals @ MECU Pavilion – 5.28.2019
I received a last minute photo pass to see Anderson .Paak (my second time in 3 months as I saw him at the MGM Grand National Harbor in February). .Paak and the Free Nationals are great musicians and they played many of their most popular songs from the recently released Ventura album. Anderson .Paak’s show is ALWAYS high energy and one can’t help but be impressed with his ability to alternate between playing drums and being out front leading songs and dancing to get the crowd hyped.
Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith @ The Anthem – 4.28.2019
This show has sentimental value because it was my first time being granted a photo pass for a concert. This was the first stop of the Kali and Jorja Tour and Jorja performed first with Kali performing second. Both artists received tremendous support from the large Anthem crowd as they performed their most popular songs from their respective albums (Lost & Found – Jorja and Isolation for Kali).Kali and Jorja did perform together for about 15 minutes towards the end of Kali’s set, nicely covering Erykah Badu’s On and On and Destiny’s Child’s Bills, Bills, Bills.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram @ The 9:30 Club – 11.21.2019
I had only heard of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram a few weeks prior to seeing him at The 9:30 Club. Rest assured he is on my radar now! This young man is just 20 years old, yet has mastered the art of playing the guitar like a boss. Don’t sleep on his voice either, it is smooth and well suited for the blues. He actually played for just about 2 hours, and was extremely active, leaving the stage and even venturing up to the balcony to jam with the very appreciative 9:30 Club crowd. I look forward to seeing this young man continue to grow and get better and better.
Miki Howard @ The City Winery DC – 11.24.2019
I have been a fan of Miki Howard’s since the late 1980s when she established herself as one of the great R&B and jazz singers of that era. I never had the opportunity to see Ms. Howard in person during that time, so when I found out she would be performing at the City Winery, I jumped at the opportunity to see her for the first time. Miki STILL has an amazing voice and when she sang some of her staples like Ain’t Nobody Like You and Love Under New Management, the crowd was truly feeling her. She took full advantage of the small venue and jumped at the chance to interact with her audience. Great show!
Snoh Aalegra @ The Fillmore Silver Spring – 11.27.2019
Snoh Aalegra is a rising star and her recent album Ugh, those feels again will likely be considered one of the best R&B albums of 2019. Snoh surely has a multi-cultural background: her parents are from Iran, but she was born and raised in Sweden.(and now lives in Los Angeles). From the time she took the stage, she definitely had The Fillmore mesmerized with her smooth voice and exceptional stage presence. She performed for about an hour and played all of her fan favorites (Find Someone Like You, Situationship, Toronto) and finished up with an encore rendition of I Want You Around.
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic @ Merriweather Post Pavilion (Capital Jazz Fest) – 6.9.2019
You haven’t truly experience Funk until you have the opportunity to check out George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic in person. Although I truly wished I had been able to see George and the P-Funk mob in their peak years (in my humble opinion, the years of 1976-1979).
Parliament Funkadelic is a huge band and although most of the original members have passed away, George Clinton is able to find highly skilled musicians and singers to continue the legacy. They performed the classics like P-Funk, One Nation Under A Groove, Knee Deep and Maggot Brain (with some amazing guitar work by DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight and did so when the weather was less than optimal (there was a steady rain throughout the performance). George and Parliament Funkadelic are still touring, so please do yourself a favor and catch them when they come to your town.
