Jackson Free Press

Akami Graham is no stranger to Jackson's R&B music scene. She has been performing to enthusiastic audiences since the early 2000s, but tonight will be her last local show, at least for now. Graham is heading to the blue waters of the Caribbean.

Graham, a Jackson native, taught herself music at an early age before graduating from Jim Hill High School in 1998. She studied voice and music in California at Richards Music School and honed her vocal prowess.

When she returned to Jackson, Graham began performing with High Frequency, energizing audiences with her soulful soprano voice. She earned the nickname "Jackson's Queen of R&B," delighting audiences at every turn.

The best singers and musicians are capable of hearing music and absorbing it into their memory banks. They are then able to take what they heard and repeat it. Graham's father taught himself to play guitar by listening to the radio. She followed in her father's footsteps when she began singing at age 5. Now, she is able to take requests from the audience.

Graham's love for music runs deep. "Music is not a pimp," she told Jackson Free Press in 2012. "Love it, and it will love you back."

She has also been honored with several awards including Best Female Vocalist at the Jackson Music Awards in 2010. She was even a semi-finalist on the hit show "American Idol" in 2005.

The concert at the Jackson Marriott tonight, Oct. 3, is advertised as a "Farewell Tribute" to Graham. Some of the best local R&B artists will honor her in her hometown, including Jarekus Singleton, who got his start by playing guitar in Graham's band.

Graham's longtime band is cleverly called The Key of G. Musicians commonly refer to the key of G as the "the people's key." Connecting people with music has always been Graham's specialty.

Say "Bon Voyage" to Graham at her special farewell performance at the Jackson Marriott (200 East Amite St.) tonight, Oct. 3. The show starts at 9 p.m. and features Dexter Allen, Karen Brown, Larry Johnson and Henry Rhodes. Purchase tickets at tlsmanagement.eventbrite.com.