As the world slowly emerges from the isolation of the pandemic, we are ecstatic to be back outside at events like the Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). In partnership with Rainbow Promotions, the festival featured an iconic lineup including Poncho Sanchez, David Sanborn, The Original Wailers, Kirk Whalum with Special Guest Kevin Whalum (Kirk’s brother), Avery Sunshine, Keyon Harrold, and the Fernando Pullum Junior Jazz Band.
A signature fundraiser for the Dymally Institute and CSUDH, the festival supports leadership
development for African American students enrolled at California State University, Dominguez Hills who will pursue careers in politics, social justice, and civic engagement. The event featured a visual arts pavilion, a community fair with health and wellness resources, community retail vendors, and two performance stages of the best in diverse international music.
Singer-songwriter Avery Sunshine, whose hubby, Dana Johnson is from the Bay area, was delighted to be a part of the auspicious festivities.
“I’m grateful to have an awesome team who’s always looking for opportunities. And this one was presented to us and we knew it would be great for us. … to be able to be on a show with Kirk Whalum, who is like family to us, Keyon Harrold, and of course to be on the show with Dave Sanborn and The Wailers, I mean, it’s huge,” she said while chatting via phone with ThisisRnB host, Raquelle Harris.
Along with the pleasure of performing with seminal artists, Sunshine was honored to support an important cause.
“It makes me feel great. It’s a part of my duty and my responsibility as a humanitarian first,” she said. “Any way that I can support us being a greater society, I certainly want to do that. Because the truth is, if we are sick in the mind, all this other stuff doesn’t matter. So, if we can change policies and change lives then absolutely, I will take every opportunity to do that.”
Acknowledging that she stays booked and busy, the “Call Me” singer has expanded her repertoire to include the co-host of her TV show, ‘Hey Sunshine’. Viewers can subscribe to the exclusive content platform via heysunshineshow.com. Proving that she’s officially a multihyphenate, Sunshine recently launched her vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics line, Lou*Mack Beauty, which is named after her great-grandmother.
Fans can expect new music from the soul siren soon.