ABOUT
"One of the most powerful things I've ever seen."
-Alex Greene, Memphis Flyer
The No Tears Project is a jazz-inflected collective formed in 2017 and led by vocalist Kelley Hurt, and pianist Christopher Parker.
The group’s repertoire is inspired by explorations into social equality and strives to create recognition as a precursor to reconciliation.
Born from a musical composition, No Tears Suite, written by Hurt and Parker and commissioned by the nonprofit Oxford American magazine to honor the civil rights heroes the Little Rock Nine, No Tears has evolved into a touring group and outreach program that brings conversations and healing to communities through music.
In addition to Hurt and Parker, a fertile community of creative artists have added texture to the group, including drummers Brian Blade and Darrian Douglas, bassist Rodney Jordan, Robert "Bobby LaVell" Garner (tenor saxophone), Marc Franklin (trumpet), and Chad Fowler (alto saxophone). The ensemble has also collaborated with composers Rufus Reid, Oliver Lake, and Donald Brown among others, as well as with spoken word artist Treasure Shields Redmond and choreographer/researcher, Ashley Tate.
VIDEOS
MUSIC
JOIN US IN JACKSON, MS - SEPT. 27 - 29
We are thrilled to announce the full event schedule below for our Jackson, MS residency September 27-29, 2024 in partnership with the Oxford American, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
Bassist and composer Rodney Jordan will premiere a set of new music inspired by the Evers Family.
Thanks to the National Park Foundation's ParkVentures initiative; Jazz Road, a program of SouthArts; Supporting Partner Visit Jackson; and community partners One Voice, the Mississippi State Conference of NAACP, Central Mississippi Blues Society, Mississippi Book Festival, Penguin Random House, Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and JSU's Department of Music for helping make the Jackson residency possible.
Stay tuned for more Fall 2024 tour dates in the Mississippi Delta region
PAST EVENTS
Ron Robinson TheatreSep 25, 2023, 7:00 PMRon Robinson Theatre, Library Square, 100 River Market Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Crosstown Arts MemphisJun 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – Jun 14, 2023, 2:00 PMCrosstown Arts Memphis, 1350 Concourse Ave #280, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
Jazz St. Louis & Gateway Arch N.P.Apr 26, 2023, 7:00 PM – Apr 29, 2023, 11:00 PMJazz St. Louis & Gateway Arch N.P., 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Fayetteville Public LibrarySep 24, 2021, 7:00 PMFayetteville Public Library, 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Marigny StudiosNov 04, 2020, 7:00 PM – Nov 06, 2020, 9:00 PMMarigny Studios, 535 Marigny St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Mosaic Templars Cultural CenterFeb 28, 2019, 7:00 PM – Mar 03, 2019, 3:00 PMMosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
BIOS
Memphis native vocalist Kelley Hurt comes from a musical family. She was the recipient of the Phillip’s Award for Best New Artist from the Memphis chapter of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Hurt has toured and recorded with a range of groups including Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Walsh, Bruce Willis and the Accelerators, North Mississippi All-Stars, and many others. She has performed in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
Arkansas native pianist Christopher Parker’s playing associations range from free jazz musicians Kidd Jordan, William Parker, and Douglas Ewart to Brian Blade, Delfeyo Marsalis, Joe Jennings, and Blues musicians Luther and Cody Dickinson, among others. He has appeared on over 20 albums, and performed in the US, South America, and Europe.
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CONTACT
THE BAND