Jonathan Blanchard’s “Soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement” Performance Coming to Dyersburg State

In celebration of black history month, Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) will welcome Jonathan Blanchard to the Dyersburg campus Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the First Citizens National Bank Auditorium inside of the Campus Activities Building and Friday, Feb. 11 at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County inside the Baptist Memorial Health Care Academic Building Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. These events are free and open to the public.

Through a grant opportunity from the Tennessee Arts Commission, DSCC obtained funding to support the programs. Blanchard’s performance celebrates African American music from its inception. Blanchard’s performance includes vocal renditions from artists who shaped American culture through their art of song. His Negro spiritual serves as the inspiration and springboard for exploring genres such as gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, blues, funk, and hip-hop.

Blanchard, a vocalist, educator, and songwriter, has a deep, rich seductive sound that is unmatched in soul music. In addition, he has a soulful delivery reminiscent of artists Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Nat King Cole, and Paul Robeson. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Music and a Master of Science degree in Music Education from Tennessee State University. A strong proponent of arts education, Blanchard celebrates the history of African American music by conducting programs and residencies in schools’ colleges throughout the United States. He is a Lincoln Center Teaching Artist and serves as a teaching artist for the Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama Arts Commissions.

The community is encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Stephen Thomas, director of student life, at 731-286-3332 or sthomas@dscc.edu or Michael Peeler, JNC director of student life, at 901-475-3166 or peeler@dscc.edu.