4pm, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027

Paramount Theatre, Oakland

Tickets on sale this November!

Oakland’s largest civic and cultural event honoring Martin Luther King Jr., returns to the Paramount Theatre for its 23rd anniversary.

The 23rd annual event is led by creative / musical director Terrence Brewer, with a theme of The Rhythm of Resistance: Songs of Hope, Transformation, and Triumph — an artistic tribute to the life, legacy, and continuing relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The concert curates a sacred and celebratory space where Dr. King’s enduring of the Beloved Community intersects with the vast, radiant landscape of the Black American musical diaspora.

You won’t want to miss what’s in store for 2027…we’re bringing you a refreshed tribute that combines award-winning talents of music, acting, and dance with powerful storytelling of resistance, transformation, and triumph.

Featured Artists

  • Proclaimed by long-time music scribe, David Becker (SF Examiner), as the San Francisco Bay areas #1 Jazz Guitarist, Multiple-Award winning guitarist Terrence Brewer is a first-call and in-demand bandleader, record producer, concert performer, studio musician, and one of the San Francisco Bay area’s foremost and sought after music educators. Brewer has produced and released 11 nationally acclaimed albums on the record label Strong Brew Music he started in 2006. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me, Brewer’s 11th album, a duet album with Jazz/Blues vocalist Pamela Rose pays tribute to the iconic duet albums by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass.

    Combined with being an in-demand record producer for himself and others, Brewer has lead his various groups in performing to sold-out crowds at the 62nd and 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, the world famous Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, Yoshi’s San Francisco, SFJAZZ Jazz Festival, and countless other venues. When Brewer is not touring regionally and nationally, he is the Camps Director for the Jazz Camp West and Jam Camp West programs presented by Living Jazz, he serves as the Jazz Studies Department Chair for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (Pre-College program), teaches music history and and music performance at San Francisco University High School, and has been a lead teaching artist, curriculum creator, presenter, and performer for SFJAZZ for over 20 years. 

    Winner – SF Weekly Music Award – Best Jazz Artist

    Winner – Oakland Chamber of Commerce Artist of the Year

    Winner – Bay Area Blues Society “Best Jazz Group” Award

  • Johnaye Kendrick is a three-time Grammy® Award-winning vocalist, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and multi-instrumentalist whose artistry is rooted in jazz tradition, curiosity, and creative exploration.

    A graduate of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, Kendrick has cultivated a distinctive musical voice as both a performer and composer. She has released two albums, HERE and FLYING, on her independent label, johnygirl.

    As a member of the acclaimed vocal ensemble säje, Kendrick has collaborated with celebrated artists including Jacob Collier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nate Smith, and Ambrose Akinmusire. Her creative work has been supported by Chamber Music America, South Arts, and Jack Straw.

    A passionate educator, Kendrick serves as Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, where she is committed to nurturing individuality, inspiring collaboration, and empowering the next generation of jazz artists.

  • James T. Lane hails from Philadelphia, PA. West End: The Scottsboro Boys, A Chorus Line (revival, Palladium Theatre). Broadway: A Wonderful World:The Louis Armstrong Musical (Louis Alternate ), Chicago (Billy Flynn), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul), King Kong, The Scottsboro Boys (Ozie Powell/Ruby Bates), A Chorus Line (Richie Walters). National Tours: Ain’t Too Proud: The life and Times of the Temptations, Jersey Boys, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella,Fame. Regional: Blues for an Alabama Sky, (Virginia Stage Company), Disney and Cameron Macintosh’s Mary Poppins (Bert, Ain’t Misbehavin (Drury Lane Theatre), The Wiz (Tin Man, Broadway At Music Circus and The Old Globe), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Sebastian, The Muny, A.C.T and Dallas Theater Center). Encores!/Off Center Theatre: Promenade, Grand Hotel, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. Concerts: Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, Ottawa Symphony and many more. James is the creator of a one-man show entitled”Triple Threat” that played Off-Broadway in New York City. Lane is the creator of  “Louis Tonight!”, a one man show about the life and music of the great jazz legend, Louis Armstrong. Mr. Lane teaches master classes lectures and brings his talents to communities all over the world, teaching and performing music, theatre, and dance. Instagram: @jamestlane www.jamestlane.com

Performances by

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir RootED Children’s Choir • Tammy Hall • Glenn Pearson • Gary Brown • Javier Navarette • James Mahone • Deszon Claiborne • Samara Atkins • Christopher Clark • Cael Dueñas-Lara

Experience The MLK Tribute

History of Living Jazz’s MLK Tribute

In 2002, Living Jazz created In the Name of Love, The Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The MLK Tribute is an extensive civic and cultural event bringing our diverse community together to honor, through music, the teachings and memory of the great Dr. King. “In the Name of Love’ showcases the culmination of the Living Jazz Children's Project, providing free music education for Oakland public elementary schools, alongside outstanding local and international talent. The Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award, created by Living Jazz, is presented by such prominent politicians such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee and highlights the work of an outstanding Oakland resident working tirelessly to make a difference. Previous artists have included legendary performers such as Mavis Staples, Jennifer Holiday, Ledisi, Goapele, the Gospel Hummingbirds and Toshi Reagon, along with Bay Area local treasures including the Dynamic Ms. Faye Carol, Marcus Shelby, Jeanie Tracy, and more.