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Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Presents Night of Sacred Sounds 

Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Presents Night of Sacred Sounds: An Evening of Jazz + The Spoken Word

For Immediate Release
April 9, 2025

Annapolis, MD – Experience an unforgettable night of music, poetry, and cultural celebration at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum’s Night of Sacred Sounds: An Evening of Jazz + The Spoken Word on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. In solidarity with UNESCO’s International Jazz Day and in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month and National Poetry Month, join us for a celebration of rhythm, soul, and inspiration featuring the Kweku Sumbry Quartet and Wesley “Panama” Watkins, Jr. and the Count the Cost Band! This special fundraiser will support the museum’s upcoming programming while honoring the rich cultural heritage of jazz and poetry, two art forms deeply rooted in the African Diaspora.

Experience multi-percussionist Kweku Sumbry’s signature blend of jazz and West African roots. Sumbry has performed globally (and NPR’s Tiny Desk!) with artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello and Immanuel Wilkins. Set against the backdrop of the museum’s Sacred Spaces exhibition, this event will explore the profound ties between spirituality, artistry, and the African diasporic experience, offering a night of reflection, joy, and community. 

Director of Programs, Sabriyah Hassan-Ismail, stated, “The Sacred Spaces exhibition provides the perfect backdrop for this event—it reminds us that art and music are not just expressions, but sacred practices that have sustained and strengthened Black communities for generations.”

Chanel Johnson, Executive Director of the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman museum, shares, “Jazz and spoken word have long been vehicles for storytelling, healing, and resistance within the African American tradition. Through Night of Sacred Sounds, we hope to create an evening that not only entertains, but also uplifts through the power of these art forms.”

Between performances, join us for a community-led poetry jam session! Are you a poet or spoken word artist eager to share your talent with the BDTM community? Sign up now to participate—space is limited. Signup here: https://bit.ly/BDTMSacredSoundsPoetryOpenMic .

Event Details: 

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, 84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Tickets: nightofsacredsoundsbdtm.eventbrite.com
General Admission – $50 | Student Admission – $30 | Wine & Refreshments Add-on – $20.00

Program Highlights

  • Live Jazz & Spoken Word Performances
  • Supporting Future Museum Programming
  • Immersive Artistic Atmosphere within the Sacred Spaces Exhibition

The Kweku Sumbry Quartet

Washington, DC-based multi-percussionist Kweku Sumbry blends Djembe orchestra traditions with jazz innovation. Having performed globally with icons like Ambrose Akinmusire, Cyrus Chestnut, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Immanuel Wilkins (on NPR’s Tiny Desk!), Sumbry leads WAR TRIO with Elijah Easton (Tenor Saxophone), Obasi Akoto (Bass), and Kweku Sumbry (Drums), featuring a special guest vocalist. Learn more on Kweku Sumbry’s Instagram page: @kwe.drums (14.2K followers)

Wesley “Panama” Watkins, Jr. and the Count the Cost Band

Founded in 2005, this D.C.-based Jazz, R&B, and Gospel band infuses soulful energy into every performance. Wesley “Panama” Watkins, Jr., originally from Panama, FL, has made the DMV and Florida music scenes his home, delivering powerful performances at fundraising events and cultural celebrations.

About the Sacred Spaces Exhibition

The Sacred Spaces exhibition, open from February 8 – December 30, 2025, features the work of Jabari Jefferson, curated by Martina Dodd. Jefferson’s art, including oil paintings, sculptures, and a large-scale community installation, transforms salvaged materials into thought-provoking reflections on history, memory, and Black cultural spaces. Learn more at: bdmuseum.maryland.gov/exhibitions.

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About Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum

The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage and culture. It is operated by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. It serves to document, interpret, and promote African American history and culture through exhibitions, programs, and projects in order to improve the understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural diversity for all. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. To learn more, visit http://bdmuseum.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

 

About the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture

The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors to our state about the significance of the African American experience in Maryland. To learn more, visit https://africanamerican.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn.

Contact: Jan Lee, Director of Marketing and Communications
jan.lee@maryland.gov | (410) 216-6185