FREE CONCERT SERIES - ALL AGES

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. America: Songs and Stories and Protest and Freedom is a prosaic, poetic and musical journey about the United States that encompasses the rage, hope, resilience and history that shaped the country over its many years. It is produced by the creative team of NPR journalist, Cheryl Corley, and singer/songwriter, Lucy Smith and includes the stories, speeches and songs about freedom and change as experienced by leaders, activists and others.

The concert chronicles America’s story from its founding years to the 21st century. It includes the words of Thomas Paine’s Liberty Tree, Emma Lazarus' The New Colossus, and Langston Hughes’ Weary Blues. Songs include: Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land, Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me, and Beyonce’s Freedom.

Personnel: Cheryl Corley, writer & narrator; Lucy Smith Quintet - Lucy, voice; Jon Deitemyer, drums; Carmani Edwards, bass; William Kurk, keys; Greg Ward, alto sax

a Chicago Park District Night Out in the Parks (NOITP) presentation

Jackson and Lucy are excited to share the stage for this special evening at Epiphany. It will be the first time that they will be coheadlining a bill and collaborating on a setlist. In 2023, Jackson recorded and released “Swept in Snow” (lead single “Christmas in Chicago”), a straight-ahead jazz album filled with fresh takes on Christmas classics as well as some original holiday tunes from Jackson’s catalog. Lucy's multi-genre holiday album, “Singing Christmas”, ranked No. 1 on the Americana Charts in January of 2023. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune) wrote “the austere beauty of her version of “Silent Night” …and the imploring quality of her singing in “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow…(is) a testament to what the holiday signifies." We hope you’ll join us for this performance!

Band members:

Jackson Jay Kidder, vocals & bass

Lucy Smith, vocals

Doug Ferdinand, piano

Juan Pastor, drums

Greg Ward II, alto saxophone