Bassist Bakithi Kumalo, best known for his work with Paul Simon, leads an all-star lineup of Lehigh Valley musicians who headline the fourth annual “Come Together” concert this spring.
“Come Together” will take place 7 p.m. April 3 at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem.
The robust lineup is rounded out by singer-songwriter Neil Grover, singer Bev “BC” Conklin, singer Alyssa Allen, singer-songwriter Michael Duck (a.k.a. Not for Coltrane), and folk musician Dave Fry.
Tickets cost $15.50 in advance, $20.50 at the door. Admission is free for students.
Proceeds from the April show will benefit the Anti-Defamation League’s Philadelphia office to support its “No Place for Hate” program in participating Pennsylvania schools. “No Place for Hate” is a 20-year-old anti-bullying initiative of the Anti-Defamation League that's used in more than 1,600 schools across the United States.
The evening will include an annual discussion led by Jack Silva, Bethlehem Area School District's assistant superintendent and chief academic officer, about how area district schools use the “No Place for Hate” program.
“All six of us have different backgrounds, different life experiences, and we play different styles of music. And without any rehearsals all together, we're going to get on that stage and try to support each other,” Ducks says in an email.
”I mean, that's what it's all about. Each of us showing up and saying, ‘I don't know your song, and I don't know how you play it, but I'm going to do whatever I can to back you up. I trust you, and you can trust me.’ Just like life, that doesn't always work out perfectly. But there's something really powerful in just showing up and trusting each other.”
Kumalo famously recorded bass on SImon’s album Graceland — including the hit single “You Can Call Me Al” . The South African native has carved out an illustrious career as one of music’s most sought-after session musicians and sidemen. In addition to his tenure with Simon, Kumalo has recorded and/or toured with such notable pop and rock stars as Gloria Estefan, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Randy Brecker, and Josh Groban.
Fry, a veteran of the Lehigh Valley music scene and favorite among his singer-songwriter peers, is a multiple Lehigh Valley Music Award winner and founder of Godfrey Daniels. Fry has performed at each of the “Come Together” concerts since its inception in 2017.
Conklin, also known as the Valley’s “Queen of the Blues,” has been entertaining area blues fans for more than two decades as the award-winning front woman for BC & the Blues Crew and BC Combo. Her various philanthropic endeavors include Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank, among others. Conklin is the founder of the annual Lehigh River Blues Jam festival.
Alyssa Allen. (Courtesy Photo)
Allen currently lends her powerful voice to Easton-based Latin music group Rio Bossa. She also performs vocals and mandolin in Touchstone Theatre’s house band, Jakopa’s Punch.
Grover’s smooth sound fuses together elements of rock, pop, and a just a hint of Bollywood. The Allentown native and multi-instrumentalist has performed to audiences up and down the east coast. Grover released the “Whoa” EP and single in 2017. His latest effort is the EP “Shadow & Fire,” which includes the single “Under the Weather Vol. 1.”
In addition to his performances under his Not for Coltrane moniker (the name of which was inspired by his dog, whom Duck joked “thought he could sing but wasn’t part of the act”), Duck hosts the weekly Facebook live series, “#ColtraneTuesdays,” featuring his “Stump the Band” game.
“We sold out Godfrey Daniels for last year's show — that's amazing. It is such a powerful statement when so many of us can rally around this clear message that everyone — every student, and every person in our community — deserves to feel safe and welcome here.”
Those who will not be able to attend can show their support by donating to the event’s GoFundMe campaign. Those who donate $5 or more will receive a link where they can watch a live broadcast of the concert.
“Come Together” is presented as part of the SouthSide Arts District “First Friday” concert series, and is supported by additional community sponsors. It is an all-ages, alcohol-free show.