Lavon Stevens & Company

LAVON STEVENS

Lavon Stevens is an acclaimed pianist, singer, song writer and producer. Local audiences know him as a multi-keyboard talent whose music ranges from warm and sensuous to infectiously energetic. His extensive repertoire, heavily influenced by his southern roots, encompasses soulful jazz, blues, contemporary, and gospel. A native of Thunderbolt, Georgia, Lavon grew up on gospel music. He began his musical studies at the age of seven with the violin. He was an inaugural member of The Savannah Youth Orchestra circa 1970. By 13, he was singing and playing piano across the southeast with local bands. He studied piano and voice at Dekalb College (now Perimeter College) in Atlanta (1979 – 1983). He then performed with various groups nationally for years before returning to the Lowcountry. Lavon’s recordings reflect his versatility as an artist, his musicality and imagination. Traveling Music is a collection of jazz standards recorded live with vocalist Louise Spencer. I See Love is a compilation of original material. A gospel CD titled The Last Mile was recorded with the gospel group The Voices of El Shaddei. He is affiliated with BMI as a publisher/songwriter. Mr. Stevens is a passionate advocate for the native island community, serving as a Board Member on the Town’s Gullah-Geechee Cultural Preservation Task Force. The GullahGeechee people are descendants of Africans who were first enslaved in the late 1600’s on the rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast. The ancestors of the Gullah Geechee people brought with them a rich heritage of African cultural traditions in art, food and music. Once here, their music evolved out of the tough conditions that characterized their lives. The influence and evolution of musical forms that arose out of Gullah music can be heard in many musical genres including spirituals and gospel music, ragtime, rhythm and blues, soul, jazz and even hip hop. There is no better person than Lavon Stevens to take us on this important and uniquely American musical journey.

This performance was made possible by a generous contribution from the Strauch Family.

Lavon Stevens & Compnay: Gullah Geechee Musical Influences

Friday, June 11 at 7:30 pm • Lowcountry Presbyterian Church

African influences have helped shape American music for almost two centuries. Many artists have approached different genres with their own unique perspective based on their level of formal training and their God-given talent. We will explore the impact of Gullah culture on music stylings. The Gullah Geechee Culture has touched every American art form including the visual arts, architecture, cuisine, and music. The audience can expect to hear traditional arrangements of Jazz, Gospel, and Blues along with improvisations inspired by the energy of the moment. This freestyle approach coupled with a basic foundational structure allows for some very interesting interpretations of the music in the moment— which means that you may never hear these songs played the same way in another setting. We will present a historical timeline through the music commencing with an overture that sets up the many styles which we will explore. We will start with some early forms of Blues and Spirituals and show the progression of the music into what we have today in Jazz and Gospel. What makes this journey so unique is the fusion of genres, the freedom of the performers, and the inspiration of the audience. It is our hope that you will leave energized and inspired with an appreciation for how we all are connected through the power of music—and with a deeper understanding of the Gullah Geechee culture which illustrates so well that we are all a part of the history of the moment, a moment that will live on for many generations to come.

PRISCILLA ALBERGOTTIE, VOCALS

Priscilla Albergottie is a sophisticated, soulful and chilling vocalist/pianist, who performs in gospel, pop, country, R&B, and jazz music in equilibrium. She grew up in Beaufort, South Carolina and began singing at the age of five in her father’s church. At an early age, Albergottie was already familiar with such iconic vocalists as Mahalia Jackson and Sarah Vaughn. She holds a master’s degree and certification in Education Administration. Priscilla is the featured vocalist for the 17-piece Savannah Jazz Orchestra, which has held up the legacy of jazz for 39 years in our neighbor, “The Hostess City of the South.” She can be heard on the group’s live recording Satin Doll, The Music of Duke Ellington and Johnny Mercer. Albergottie has also performed with superb jazz musicians such as trombonist Teddy Adams, bassist Ben Tucker, Eric Jones, and many other icons. Albergottie has secured numerous showcase performances in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, Germany as well as a plethora of performances in the United States. She released her debut demo, One Star in the Night, and has performed live before Fergie, the Dutchess of Wales. Priscilla has a genuine love for music from all genres.

Dr. Grant is a fifth generation native of Hilton Head Island. She received a B.A. in Music from South Carolina State University, a Masters Degree in jazz performance from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and an Educational Specialist degree and Ed.D. in advanced studies in Educational Leadership from South Carolina State University. She has taken music courses at Towson State University, the University of Nebraska, the University of South Carolina and Converse College. An interest in acting began in 1994 when she performed with the renowned Hallelujah Singers for the Forest Gump movie soundtrack. She has also performed the opening for The Reverend Luther Barnes in Concert, an executive producer of gospel music who has released over twenty-eight CDs. Dr. Grant holds a South Carolina Teaching license in Music Education, Elementary and Secondary Principal and Superintendent. She has been teaching for ten years, at Hilton Head Elementary School and previously at Beaufort Elementary School. She was the Assistant Principal at Hardeeville Elementary school for three years and the Jasper County School District PBIS Coach for two years.

DR. TERRY GRANT-ROBINSON, VOCALS

In addition, Dr. Grant is a certified FAA Remote Pilot and a Certified Teacher Cadet Instructor. Currently, she is a student at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University majoring in Unmanned Systems.

AARON JENNINGS, DRUMS

Jazz drummer and percussionist Aaron Jennings discovered his passion for music playing in church in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia. He attended the prestigious Savannah Arts Academy of Visual and Performing Arts where his love for jazz was cultivated. Throughout high school, Jennings performed in various ensembles including the Savannah Arts Academy Skylight Jazz ensemble, wind symphony, orchestra and pit orchestra. Jennings has found a steady stream of work as a theater musician. His long list of shows already include: Spring Awakening, Evil Dead: The Musical, Grey Gardens, Songs for a New World, Aida, and A Christmas Carol. In January 2020 Aaron performed at the 62nd annual Grammy Nominee Celebration in New York City. He has made notable appearances at major jazz festivals including the 2012 Savannah Jazz Festival with the Skylight Jazz Ensemble and at the 2015 Jacksonville Jazz Festival where he shared the stage with members of the Jacksonville University Jazz Faculty. Throughout his time at New York University, Aaron made several appearances at the Blue Note with NYU jazz ensembles. Jennings is also featured in the method book entitled “Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer” by Grammy award-winning jazz drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. Jennings has a B.M in Jazz and Commercial Music from Jacksonville University where he studied with Tony Steve, Rick Kirkland (Ray Charles), and John Ricci. Aaron has also studied with Sean Bolden (Estelle), Billy Drummond, John Hadfield, and Ulysses Owens Jr. He recently received his M.M in Jazz Studies at New York University and is now working as the community liaison and program assistant for the Savannah Music Festival Jazz Academy.

Delbert Felix is the son of Wesley and the late Ann Felix. He is a native of Frogmore on St. Helena Island, SC. His first influence in music was his father, who was the band director at St. Helena High School. At the age of eight he received a bass guitar from Jonathan Francis, developing a love for the instrument. In high school his influences were Earl Davis, John Ferguson, Steve Best, Nate Drake, and later Bill Barnwell, who introduced him to Jazz. Delbert attended the Berklee School of Music and later joined the Navy Music program where he went on to become Bass Instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music. Delbert was the original bassist in the Branford Marsalis quartet. He has performed with Lavon Stevens, Teddy Adams, Freddie Hubbard, Lou Rawls, Freddie Cole, Sting, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton, Ellis, Jason and Delfeayo Marsalis. Delbert has traveled and performed extensively throughout the world, and has made numerous appearances on television, including, the Bryant Gumbel NBC Early Morning Show. He currently works as a freelance musician on the east coast and resides on Hilton Head Island.

DELBERT FELIX, BASS

{BEYOND THE WAVES} ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY Awaits

With some of the finest art galleries, live music venues, and dance and theater productions happening year-round, Hilton Head Island’s arts and culture scene is second to none. Browse the Coastal Discovery Museum or Heritage Library and take a step back in time, discovering the Lowcountry’s fascinating history. No matter which artistic pursuit or cultural experience you choose, we can guarantee you’ll be entertained!

Share your experience