Join us for an electrifying evening of modern soul and jazz as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates genre-bending artistry. Featuring musicians from the dynamic duo Brooklyn Saint and a live string ensemble, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Soulful Evolution with Cinematic Strings

Experience a journey through high-energy grooves and cinematic arrangements with this special collaboration:

  • Brooklyn Saint + Strings: The electrifying duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold joins forces with a live string ensemble for an evening that pushes the boundaries of modern soul and jazz.
  • A Bold New Sound: Keyes’ bold yet melodic vocals, steeped in the spirit of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Janelle Monáe, meet Harrold’s polyrhythmic drive, inspired by jazz and hip-hop innovators. Together, they create a blend of R&B, funk, and hip hop with lush string arrangements.

The Performers: Brooklyn Saint

This exceptional evening features Brooklyn Saint, the dynamic duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold, along with a supporting string ensemble.

WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this exceptional program in collaboration with Emanuel Harrold and Shareef Keyes, arranging pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring inventive and vibrant depth to these musical selections.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Sound

The strategic nature of chess, which demands both calculated planning and creative improvisation, finds a stunning parallel in the music of Brooklyn Saint. Like a master chess player who anticipates the opponent’s moves while maintaining artistic flair, this ensemble blends disparate genres—R&B’s structure, funk’s rhythmic surprise, and soul’s emotional depth—into a cohesive, winning sound. It’s an evening where every note is a carefully considered, yet passionately delivered move.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits. The performance is held in one of the galleries.

Full Evening Schedule:

  • 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
  • 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

  • Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
  • Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink voucher.
  • Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.