Apollo Presents

Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud at 50!

Musical Director: Christian McBride
All Star Band:
Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Frank Greene, Lee Hogans, Steve Wilson, Rodney Jones, Eric Krasno, Robert “Mousey” Thompson, Nikki Glaspie, Gabo Lugo, Janice Pendarvis

Special Guests:  Lee Fields, Lisa Fischer, Nona Hendryx, Avery Sunshine, & Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition)
Host: Al Sharpton

When “Soul Brother Number One” James Brown released “Say It Loud: I’m Black and  I’m Proud” in the summer of 1968, it became the theme song for an entire movement.  The song and its message were so strong, it sent waves through black American culture.  Not surprisingly, many other soul and R&B artists took notice and were coming up with  their own black pride songs. This concert celebrates not only James Brown, but also the  Black Pride music he inspired among other African-American artists starting in the summer of 1968, including The Temptations, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and more.

Buy Tickets

Arrive early and enjoy our Coca-Cola Virtual Reality Lounge on Saturday at 6:30pm.

Artists like James Brown got their start at Amateur Night. Now you can walk in their shoes. Be one of the first to experience our new VR program where you get VIP Star treatment and see what it’s like to be on stage at the Apollo.

Say It Loud: Half Off for Harlem

The Apollo Theater’s Half off for Harlem promotion is back for our first performance of the season – Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud at 50. Thanks to our partnership with Coca-Cola, Harlem residents and employees of Harlem businesses can save 50% ($25, $37.50, and $50) on tickets to this Black Pride Music concert. Half off for Harlem tickets can be purchased in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office. Ticket buyers must provide proof of residence or work id to save.

Join the Movement with the Soul Subscription Package

The Apollo's 2018-2019 Season includes two soul inspired performances: Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud at 50 and Twisted Melodies: The Donny Hathaway Story in the spring. Purchase your Soul Subscription Package and save over 15% when you purchase both shows.

Learn More

Apollo Digital Stage

Learn more about the themes and influences behind Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud at 50! by visiting the Apollo Digital Stage.

View Full Digital Stage Here

About

Christian McBride

Christian McBride is a six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist/composer who, since the early ‘90s, has recorded over 300 dates as a sideman and released albums as a leader since ’95.

Aside from various stints with Sting, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, John McLaughlin, and George Duke, among others, McBride has been artist-in-residence and artistic director with organizations such as Jazz Aspen, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Jazz House Kids, and NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center - Newark).

McBride tours consistently with his bands New Jawn and Tip City. He also fronts the Christian McBride Big Band, whose Mack Avenue Records recording, Bringin’ It, won the GRAMMY® Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 2017—his sixth win overall.

In addition, McBride hosts a show on Sirius/XM and DJs at clubs as DJ Brother Mister. McBride was recently named host of “Jazz Night in America,” a new program from NPR Music and WBGO that showcases today’s thriving jazz scene. While he continues his role as Artistic Director for the Montclair Jazz Festival, 2017 also marked his first year in the same role for the critically acclaimed Newport Jazz Festival.