Salt Lick Sessions

The Umbrella Arts Center is excited to expand The Umbrella Concert Series to include two casual and intimate shows spotlighting some of your future-favorite musical acts who are up-and-coming through the Salt Lick Incubator program.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22  at 7:30pm

Sponsored by Lindsey and Rob Parker

 

 

MISSED THE SHOW?

Hear the Artists on WERS 88.9 Salt Lick Sessions

or Watch it Again on YouTube

 

FEATURING

Tonina

Young Black woman seated with very large upright bassTonina is a St. Louis-raised, Brooklyn-based vocalist, bassist and writer who brings a rich blend of Jazz, Folk , and Latin boleros into her music, deeply influenced by their Sicilian and Black heritage and passion for storytelling.

Her artistry spans singing, bass playing and songwriting creating an innovative sound that blends tradition with contemporary edge.

With over 5 projects, Tonina is steadily building a reputation for their unique fusion of Black, Latin, and folk traditions, and their upcoming projects promise to explore new sonic territories, continuing their journey as one of music’s most exciting rising voices. @iamtonina

Chance Emerson

Bearded young man with Asian features buried to his neck in fresh earthAs a songwriter, Chance Emerson doesn’t observe and report. He lives and responds, mining his unique experiences growing up between Hong Kong and Maine to forge his compelling brand of melodic folk-rock. A distant relative of essayist and transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chance is the son of a Taiwanese mother and American father. When he decided to move across the world to Providence, Rhode Island to pursue his studies, it didn’t take long before a growing passion for singing and writing his own songs overtook his original trajectory. He began performing up and down the Northeast corridor, headlining clubs to fervent followers and supporting established acts such as Johnnyswim, Brett Dennen, Eli Young Band, Lawrence, Ripe, Blues Traveler, and Nancy Wilson's Heart.

Chance’s raw and honest approach to songwriting has resonated powerfully with listeners: His 2023 album, “Ginkgo,” with lead single “House We Share,” has already surpassed 2,000,000 streams and landed features on Spotify’s prominent ‘Dinner With Friends’ and ‘Next Gen Singer-Songwriter’ playlists. After receiving the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Award from BMI, Chance recently performed at the renowned Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza. Chance has also signed on with Martin Kierszenbaum at the Cherrytree Music Company for management and Ira Goldenring at the Wasserman Music Agency for concert booking. @chance.s.emerson

Micah Edwards

Half-profile of man in cowboy hat playing acoustic guitar in silhouetteMicah Edwards emerges as a luminary in the contemporary music scene, blending soulful melodies with profound lyricism garnished with a buttery twang. On his much anticipated new project, he drives a stake in the ground solidifying himself squarely as: Mr. Texas Soul.

Having already reached 1M monthly Spotify listeners on his previous release, Edwards’ magnetic stage presence and undeniable talent helped him garner cross-generational and cross-cultural audiences via Tiny Desk Contest’s Top Shelf, Tiny Desk Concert On The Road Tour, and support slots with Mac Ayres, Kam Franklin, Madeline Edwards, David Michael Wyatt, and Little Moon. @mrtexassoul

 

ABOUT SALT LICK INCUBATOR

Founded in 2022 by this year’s Elizabeth Cochary Gross Stewardship of the Arts recipient, Roger Brown, the nonprofit Salt Lick Incubator is reshaping the landscape for artists by providing support, grants, essential career guidance, and exposure to new audiences through such vehicles as WERS Radio’s Salt Lick Sessions and the Salt Lick YouTube channel. Led by an illustrious artist advisory board including T Bone Burnett, Jon Batiste, Patrice Rushen and more, its unwavering commitment to fostering diverse, emerging musicians is a testament to its belief in the transformative power of music.