The club quickly filled with an audience ready to witness something special from new and returning talent in the KMC Area. (MAJ Antuan X. Aaron, US Army.)
So much love was shown to artists from around the world on LUTHER Music Bar Club’s stage at the latest edition of Artistic Expressions. The doors opened at 8 p.m. as DJ Fast Lane threw throwbacks in the mix. The club quickly filled with an audience ready to witness something special from new and returning talent in the KMC Area.
J-Wayne, a Texas native and service member of the U.S. Air Force, hosted his eighth Artistic Expressions Talent Showcase titled, Family Matters. How fitting, since his mother and younger sister made their way to Germany for the first time to be in attendance.
“It all started in a hookah lounge that sat 40 people,” J-Wayne said.
“I am a performer, too, and I wanted to create a space to show my talent, but also others’, in front of people who have the same vibe and same passion in music as me.”
— J-Wayne, a Texas native and service member of the U.S. Air Force
Nine other artists graced the stage with original poetry, songs and covers that hinted at what’s stirring in their souls.
J-Wayne, a Texas native and service member of the US Air Force, hosted his eighth Artistic Expressions Talent Showcase titled, Family Matters. (MAJ Antuan X. Aaron, US Army.)
Actress, multi-hyphenated talent and J-Wayne’s little sister, Talia, flew in all the way from New York to debut her vocal skills that she’s been honing. She’s worked with a vocal coach for the past six months to find her own voice and comfort in her own sound.
“This is the first time I sing on stage as me and not a character. It’s a really vulnerable experience,” she said.
After singing the first verse of “Dancing on My Own,” Talia settled into the set with her boyfriend, Austin, playing the guitar right beside her, and let the rasp in her voice shine as she gave a more sultry sound to the song.
Soon after, the growing crowd was serenaded by the alluring notes blaring from the soprano saxophone played by Trevan, a 20-year-old local musician born and raised in Kaiserslautern. His musical journey with the saxophone started seven years ago, but if it weren’t for his youthful appearance, you’d think he’d have decades of experience after listening to him play Deborah Cox’s “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” and Keith Sweat’s “Make It Last Forever.”
Some of the artists on stage shared very personal pieces, such as spoken word from Da Country Poet, who cried out for his love to the beats of Anthony Hamilton as he prepares himself for a PCS next week.
“We’ll miss you!” shouted the crowd.
Closure, a poet, shared some of his heartfelt text messages, since “love is becoming harder to express face-to-face.” Hopefully, he received closure from the women who broke his heart!
Delgado, a singer and rapper, shared original works from his newest album, “SFDW,” which is out on all streaming platforms. Kamm, a rapper, also hyped the crowd with songs from his latest album, “Hippie Road.”
The audience got a true taste of mature vocalists once Journi pulled up a barstool and the microphone only 10 feet away from crowd to let the clarity and strength in her voice resonate with those encapsulated in the trance she put us through as she sang covers of Erykah Badu.
Kierrah, a local artist who’s performed around Canada and at KMC Onstage, got the crowd on their feet with her impressive vocal range and original upbeat song, “Dedication.” (MAJ Antuan X. Aaron, US Army.)
But Kierrah, a local artist who’s performed around Canada and at KMC Onstage, got the crowd on their feet with her impressive vocal range and original upbeat song, “Dedication,” which will be featured on her upcoming EP Album that she is currently working on.
“I hope to release this EP next year,” she said. “It’s about overcoming the cycles of love and heartbreak and defining yourself with the beauty of love and not the hurt.”
Tears were stifled by JORDI, a singer who is prepping for a PCS to South Korea, as he shared his final Artistic Expression performance. He has been a performer for J-Wayne’s production since Vol. 1 of Artistic Expressions.
“This has been a gateway to other opportunities,” JORDI said.
Artistic Expressions by J-Wayne occur throughout the year, so follow @artisticxpressions23 on Instagram to make sure you’re at the next one, either as a performer or audience member.
Soon after, the growing crowd was serenaded by the alluring notes blaring from the soprano saxophone played by Trevan, a 20-year-old local musician born and raised in Kaiserslautern. (MAJ Antuan X. Aaron, US Army.)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of War.
