Curated to transcend musical genres, the performers selected for Sound Session ’04 cross boundaries in their work - and for this festival Jazz, Hip Hop, Reggae, House, Latin, Afrobeat, Funk and Classic Soul will grace stages across the City of Providence. The connecting fabric of the festival is excellence. Donald King, Artistic Director of the Providence Black Repertory Company, said of Sound Session ’04, “In planning this festival we picked acts the way a good DJ picks his tracks, making selections that excite, educate, surprise and inspire the crowd. It’s in the mix - in the combination of cultures and genres - that artistic excellence stands out. The juxtaposition of a legend like Ron Carter, who attracts the jazz aficionados, and underground dance floor sensations 3 Generations Walking, who bring in the discriminating hipsters, allows musicianship to be in the foreground. Truly great sound stands out in the mix.”

Performances at Sound Session ’04 will range across the City of Providence from the riverside amphitheatre at Waterplace Park, at the base of the State House lawn; to the intimate lounge and stage at the Xxodus Café at the Providence Black Repertory Company; to the outdoor street festival on Westminster Street in the heart of Downcity. The festival is a substantial example of Providence’s commitment to art and culture, part of why the New York Times called the city a “Mecca for Tourism and the Arts” in September 2003. Mayor of Providence, David N. Cicilline, said “Sound Session is the beginning of a long term commitment between the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture & Tourism and the Providence Black Repertory Company to bring high quality entertainment to our capital city. This summer’s music celebration will compliment the City of Providence’s plans to become truly the destination city of the northeast.”

Sound Session '04 is free and open to the public. The festival is produced by The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture & Tourism and The Providence Black Repertory Company, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Providence Black Repertory Company is a cultural institution whose theatre, education and public programs strive to bring people together, provoke thought, inspire hope, and create understanding. The Providence Department of Art, Culture & Tourism was established to ensure the continued development of a vibrant and creative city by integrating arts and culture into community life while showcasing Providence as an international cultural destination.