Delray Beach, FL — February 24, 2026 — On April 4, 2026, The Spady Museum will fill Delray Beach with music via “The Black American Story,” a lyrical experience that combines storytelling and jazz to explore Black people’s richness, resilience, and complexity across time. Through music, narrative, and interactive discussion, three dynamic performers will illuminate the African Diaspora’s past, present, and imagined futures.
Brian Knowles, founder of Power Builders, and Baltimore-based jazz musicians Lafayette Gilchrist and Bashi Rose, will merge historical oratory with soulful music to create a wholly unique creative journey for the audience to enjoy.
The April 4 event will be held from 5-7 p.m. in the Vintage Gymnasium of Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Tickets are $75 pp. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets – spadymuseum.com/events
“We are excited about the 100th and 25th anniversaries of both The Spady House and The Spady Museum, and we are also celebrating the graduating class of our second Black History Study program,” said Museum Director Charlene Farrington. “If you love good music and great story-weaving, we hope to see you at our 2026 celebrations.”
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Knowles, an established collaborator with The Spady Museum, created the curriculum for the second season of its Black History Study program, and is well-known for his comprehensive knowledge of African ancestry. Knowles will share dynamic stories about the African-American experience that will be the “call” for the musicians to “respond to” with song.
Rose, founder of Konjur Collective, is a theatre artist, musician, and filmmaker. He was raised in West Baltimore and nurtured by the Baltimore Arts community. He has performed and has had work produced in numerous venues, including the High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music, Mind on Fire, Brooklyn Academy of Music, National Saw Dust, The Shrine, Baltimore Museum of Art, San Francisco Black Film Festival, Black Femme Supremacy Film Fest, and the Black Panther Party Film Festival.
Gilchrist is an American jazz pianist pianist and composer, based in Baltimore. He has had a long association with saxophonist David Murray, with whom he has toured internationally. In 1993, Gilchrist formed the New Volcanoes, as a quartet that also featured trumpeter Freddie Dunn, bassist Vince Loving, and drummer Nate Reynolds.
ABOUT THE SPADY CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM:
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW 5th Avenue in Delray Beach, was established in July 2001 by the non-profit organization, EXPANDING AND PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, INC., a 501(c)3 Florida organization. Located in the 1926 former home of educator Solomon D. Spady, the museum preserves and shares local Black history with Delray Beach Black archives, exhibits, bus tours, walking tours, commemorative events and youth mentoring. Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Saturday; all other hours are by appointment. (561) 279-8883; wwwspadymuseum.com