Oakland’s largest civic and cultural event honoring Martin Luther King Jr., returns to the Paramount Theatre for its 20th anniversary.

Living Jazz and SFJAZZ present a Musical Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA.

This special celebration will feature an exclusive artist lineup of Bay Area musical luminaries performing the music of Stevie Wonder. It was Wonder’s version of “Happy Birthday” and his tireless campaigning with the King family that led directly to the enshrinement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed for the first time in 1986.

This event brings together Bay Area musical talents who will represent a variety of genres in their interpretations of timeless Stevie Wonder tunes: from reggaeton, jazz, funk, R&B, to hip hop, gospel, soul and orchestral music.

Performers include Aneesa Strings, Kev Choice, La Doña, PHER, Nona Brown, Howard Wiley, Rhonda Benin, and more, backed by Oakland’s own Awesöme Orchestra Collective and a special dance performance from Babatunji. Witness the rising talent of the Bay Area with performances by Oaktown Jazz Workshops, SFJAZZ High School All-Stars and the Living Jazz Children’s Project choral program.

The 2024 Oakland Humanitarian Award will be presented to Sabrina Thomas of Building Futures.

Thank you to our media partners KALW, KCSM, and BAR | Bay Area Registry for their support.

Featuring the music of Stevie Wonder as performed by…

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Artists

• Kev Choice Music Director, arranger, piano • RyanNicole Host • Aneesa Strings bass, vocals • Babatunji dancer • Howard WileyBand • La Doña vocals • Nona Brown vocals • PHER vocals • Rhonda Benin vocals • Awesöme Orchestra Collective • Living Jazz Children’s Project Choir • Oaktown Jazz Workshops • SFJAZZ High School All-Stars & Alumni • Kev Choice, Mike Blankenship, Brian Adam McCune, Aneesa Strings orchestral arrangements