Jackson Free Press

The soulful and funky sounds of Laura Reed and Deep Pocket from Asheville, N.C., will return to Martin's this Thursday night. The South Africa-born lead singer Laura Reed belts a mean range of vocal styles, from world reggae rhythms and Erykah Badu to Billie Holiday and Aretha. Add a little "Dirty Dozen" brass instrument action, and you get a reason to get out on a work night. Try her out at Laura Reed & Deep Pocket. Joining her on stage for some hip-hop flavor is PyInfamous, $7.

At press time, plans were being made for Hal & Mal's to host a Blues Summit this Saturday with Grady Champion and a long list of other performers yet to be announced. If you dig the blues, check the JFP online music calendar for complete details. Also this Saturday, Seven*Studioz is hosting a kids' street jam in the Millsaps Arts District with face-painting and a space jump, along with music for the family to enjoy, starting at 11 a.m.
Check out the comedy-improvisation, dance-music free-for-all this Sunday afternoon as the Mississippi Improv Alliance gets raucous in Smith Park, downtown from 2-4 p.m. for fun-loving performance art that won't leave you scratching your head. Audience participation is encouraged.

Get a peek at celebrity. The public is invited to the annual Jackson Music Awards at the Marriott Hotel downtown at 6 p.m. this Monday, July 14, for the state's best hip-hop, soul and R&B awards ceremony. There is a killer afterparty on slate with High Frequency and many of the nominees and winners. Tickets are at Be-Bop with reserved seating for $30; $20 general admission.

If you have been watching the charts, you will see that Mississippi hip-hop icon David Banner's latest single is tearing through the countdown as his new album hits nationwide this Tuesday. Bringing the love back home, Mr. Banner will be at the Metrocenter Be-Bop Tuesday, July 15, to meet his fans and sign copies of his latest from 6-10 p.m. It is recommended that you go by Be-Bop before Tuesday and put down money for an advance copy to get a wristband, which guarantees your turn at the signing table. Wristband holders will get a limited edition DVD while they last.

There are two music-related events at the Mississippi Museum of Art this month in conjunction with their new "Sight of Music" 100-piece photography exhibit with images by John Cage, Lou Barlow, Thomas Hart Benton, Red Grooms and other musicians and painters. Next Tuesday, July 15, is this month's "Unburied Treasures" program running at 6 p.m. One of the jazz inspired pieces from the exhibit will be discussed, with Ora Reed singing jazz standards and readings from Toni Morrison's "Jazz." And check out the exhibit while you are there.

One of the JFP's most anticipated annual events happens next Saturday evening. Mark July 19 on your calendar and show your love for the ladies at the 4th Annual JFP Chick Ball at Hal & Mal's, beginning at 6 p.m. Performing will be Natalie Long, Blaque Butterfly, Laurel Isbister, June Hardwick, The Hot Tamales, Rhonda Richmond, Lizz Strowd, Caroline Crawford, Infinite, the MissiHIPPY Dancers and others.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 24, for this month's Mississippi Museum of Art's Jazz, Art and Friends social with jazz by Will Thompson, 6-9 p.m. $7. Unwind after work with some jazz improvisation, drink some wine and check out the "Sight of Music" exhibit.