Deanna Brown Thomas had a few misty-eyed moments Saturday during the 10th anniversary celebration of the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils.
One of them came during Meli’sa Morgan’s rendition of “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”
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“I asked her to sing that because that was the last thing he ever sang,” she said of her father, James Brown, who sang the spiritual with a choir in London before his death in 2006.
And Thomas said she thanks God for his grace and blessings on the organization she started 10 years ago through the James Brown Family Foundation.
Training up the next generation of musicians is at the heart of J.A.M.P.’s mission. It’s a “musical, instrumental initiative year-round hub designed for the youth to discover their musical ability to ‘Staying on the Good Foot,’” according to information at the James Brown Family Foundation’s website.
The student musicians train, travel and perform. Members have performed in New York City and Chicago and with artists such as Prince.
“It’s an innovative music hub. It’s been that and so much more,” said Samantha Johnson, a J.A.M.P. alumnus, who has graduated to helping Thomas with the program.
Johnson said J.A.M.P. students receive educational help to maintain A/B averages and they learn about business in addition to studying music and performing.
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One thing that impacts Thomas most is the relationships she sees built among the students.
Thomas took time to thank many of the people who’ve contributed to J.A.M.P. to cause it to flourish, and multiple celebrities expressed their well-wishes through a video played during the program. Among those who sent recorded congratulations were the Rev. Al Sharpton, Melba Moore, Evelyn Braxton and Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge.
The video also included comments about the young musicians from two performers who’ve died — singer Sharon Jones and actor Chadwick Boseman. Boseman played James Brown in the 2014 film “Get On Up,” said in the clip, “it’s an amazing thing to watch them taking on all the roles of this band. Some of them actually take on the lyrics of the songs, so I think it’s a great program for them to them to nurture them, to nurture their artistry, and I hope it continues.”
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Members of the James Brown J.A.M.P. band including some of who’ve graduated from the program performed at the reception.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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