Crosstown Arts, The Green Room

French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist and composer Pierre Bensusan, surnamed “Mister DADGAD”, has taken his unique sound to all corners of the globe. Winner of the Independent Music Award for his triple live album "Encore", voted Best World Music Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine reader’s Poll, and winner of the Rose d’Or at the Montreux Festival for his debut album, Pierre is recognized as one of the greatest guitar players of the 21st century.

Join J.D. Reager for "Back to the Light: Songs & Stories", featuring performances and conversations with special guests HEELS, Cory Branan, Alicja Trout, Graham Burks, Michaela & Will Forrest, and Jeff Hulett.

Kittel & Co. is one of the premier American acoustic bands performing today. Led by GRAMMY-nominated composer Jeremy Kittel, described by WGBH as “one of the most exceptional violinists and fiddlers of his generation…” The stringed-instrument collective features a cast of musically kindred spirits — mandolinist Josh Pinkham, guitarist Quinn Bachand, bassist Ethan Jodziewicz, and hammer-dulcimerist Simon Chrisman — each recognized as an innovator on their instrument.

Pianist Aaron Parks released his Blue Note debut “Invisible Cinema” at the age of 25 following three Blue Note releases with trumpeter Terence Blanchard. The BBC declared it “one of the great albums of 2008.” JazzTimes hailed him as “a new visionary.” The San Jose Mercury News named his “Alive in Japan” release as their 2013 Top Jazz Album of the year.

Dallas-based Cézanne Quartet and pianist Jonathan Tsay perform works by Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann, and Prokofiev in the Green Room.

Are y’all ready? You better get ready. Because Sarah Potenza is not messing around. Her latest release, Road to Rome, shines new light on a songwriter whose career already includes multiple albums as front-woman of Sarah and the Tall Boys, a game-changing appearance on The Voice, and an acclaimed solo debut titled Monster. Rolling Stone gushed, “Potenza is to the blues what Adele is to pop: a colossal-voiced singer who merges her old-school influences with a modernistic sound.” She is a songwriter taking the wheel and driving toward her own destination, and you want to be there for the journey.

Black Cream is a conglomerate of Memphis' musical prodigies. Lead guitarist and good soul TO Crivens flies high with his attention to detail during his solos. The band is anchored by bassist Dr. Derek Brassel, the coolest cat in every room and the unofficially certified groove doctor. His bass lines are spellbinding. Chris Barnes rounds out the Black Cream team on vocals and percussion. Chris Barnes has the charismatic presence of a Baptist preacher and the vocal abilities of your favorite soul crooner.

PXLS is a Memphis-based video game music cover band with their own unique take on video game music. Come see a live band playing your favorite 8-bit and 16-bit era songs and relive the soundtrack to your childhood. If video games don't interest you, fear not! With a repertoire that spans several genres like rock, jazz, reggae, and latin there is sure to be something for everyone. Costumes welcome (and encouraged)!

Crosstown Arts Spring 2022 resident artists Richard Jamal Echols and Brandon Blvd will present artist talks in the Green Room at Crosstown Arts.

Grammy-nominated guitarist, composer and arranger Tom Guarna began his musical studies at age fifteen, rapidly demonstrating a natural ability to play and compose. After studying classical guitar and composition at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in 1986, he played local gigs in New York and fine-tuned his education with John Abercrombie. He earned a Bachelor Degree from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and a Master’s Degree at The Juilliard School.