Music at the Intersection has represented 51黑料 culture to the fullest for the last five years. The festival will take over the Grand Center Art District this year Sept. 12-14 with performances from some of the biggest names in soul, hip-hop, R&B and jazz.
The Godmother of Soul, Patti LaBelle, headlines MATI 2025 alongside Academy Award鈥搘inning rapper Common and DJ Pete Rock. But that鈥檚 not all. MATI brings six headlining acts to the festival with R&B crooners Lucky Daye and Leon Thomas, hip-hop group De La Soul and three-time Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis.
But MATI shines in showcasing the best of 51黑料 and Metro East talent. This year, you can catch funk artist Frankie DoWop and the Thundacats, bedroom popstar Whitworth, East 51黑料鈥 Ryan Trey and Grammy Award鈥搉ominee and jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold at the festival. MATI proves that 51黑料 is a beacon for discovering rising stars. Here are five 51黑料鈥揵ased acts you don鈥檛 want to miss at MATI 2025.
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Jean and Marcus Baylor of the Baylor Project
The Baylor Project
In 1993, R&B duo Zhane crashed onto the Billboard Hot 100 with their song 鈥淗ey Mr. D.J.鈥 Decades later, group member Jean Norris-Baylor formed the Baylor Project with her husband, Marcus Baylor. A graduate of McCluer High School, Marcus grew up playing the drums at Faith Miracle Temple, not far from the festival footprint.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be coming home to 51黑料,鈥 Marcus says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a full circle moment.鈥
The seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz duo snagged their most recent Best Jazz Performance Grammy nomination for their 2024 single 鈥淲alk With Me, Lord (SOUND 鈥 SPIRIT).鈥 They released the song independently on their own record label. Despite not taking home the win this year, the Baylors are happy about the nod.
鈥淢ore than anything, it鈥檚 a moment where you can just be celebrated amongst your peers as you鈥檙e living out your everyday purpose,鈥 Jean says.
The Baylors say festivalgoers can expect a set full of jazz fusion, with gospel undertones, as the couple returns to the 51黑料 music festival.
Brit Lockhart performs with the 51黑料-based band the Ish Ensemble.
The Ish Ensemble
Musical healing and spirituality intersect when the Ish Ensemble hits the stage. The collective, which includes Brit Lockhart, Tim Moore, Luke Sailor and Chris Green is ever-evolving. So you never know who鈥檒l be joining them as they perform at venues all over 51黑料.
The Ish Ensemble leans into jazz fusion, creating new rhythms from traditional jazz sounds while incorporating original work of their own. They are a 51黑料-bred cadre of reinventors and showcase the diversity of the city鈥檚 music scene.
Born in Ghana and raised in East 51黑料, djembe drummer Weedie Braimah performs at MATI for the first time on Friday.
Weedie Braimah
Born in Ghana, drummer Weedie Braimah was raised in East 51黑料, Missouri. Both his parents were professional percussionists, steering him towards a life that centered around music and West African drums. The two-time Grammy Award nominee returns to the Metro East as he prepares to perform at MATI for the first time.
鈥淚鈥檓 what you call a futuristic folklorist,鈥 Braimah says. 鈥淚 try to maintain traditions through the instrument that I played, through the djembe (a type of West African drum). But also, I try to give people an understanding of folkloric djembe music and folkloric West African music.鈥
Braimah is the 111th generation of percussionist in his family. He鈥檒l be joined on stage by his band, the Hands of Time, with a few surprise guests popping out like Grammy-nominated trumpeter and MATI Artist-in-Residence, Keyon Harrold.
The Adam Maness Trio consists of drummer Kaleb Kirby, pianist Adam Maness and bassist Bob Deboo. The trio will perform on Saturday night at MATI.
Adam Maness Trio with Bob Deboo
Expect a set full of jazz originals and popular tunes when the Adam Maness Trio hits the stage. Comprised of pianist Adam Maness, bassist Bob Deboo and drummer Kaleb Kirby, the band has been a staple on the local performing scene for quite some time. They鈥檝e shone at individual gigs and as a musical conglomerate, bringing a Midwest 鈥渟wang鈥 to contemporary jazz records.
Maness serves as the arranger and composer for the trio, making a name for himself as a bold creative, unafraid to reinvent traditional sounds. The band takes over the Jazz 51黑料 stage on Saturday at 9 p.m.
DJ G. Wiz
G. Wiz and the Time Travelers
A respected DJ across genres, G. Wiz has remained a pillar in the 51黑料 music and broadcast radio community since the late 1980s. He started as a DJ at the now shuttered KDHX in 1988, creating a space for local hip-hop artists to gain radio airplay, and launched his record label Wiz-A-Tron Records to elevate even more local acts.
A performance alumnus at the festival, G. Wiz says to expect an old-school outdoor party with music bangers spanning disco, funk, hip-hop and more. He鈥檚 joined by the Time Travelers, a DJ trio comprised of himself, DJ Superman Speed and Lady Jock, the daughter of legendary 51黑料 disc jockey Dr. Jockenstein.
The seasoned music creative says MATI is an opportunity to show both locals and visitors what 51黑料 has to offer. He and the Time Travelers take over Strauss Park on Sunday at 4 p.m.
鈥淲hy should people in the city have to go elsewhere and spend their money?鈥 G. Wiz says. 鈥淲e need our festivals.鈥
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