Lineup is headlined by four Grammy nominees and local celebrities

It’s finally here! It’s time to add some soul to your summer as Radio Free KJLH and the Sentinel present the 4th Summer Soul Jam Concert at the Par Three Golf Course in Compton on Saturday, August 16.

Hosted by Compton Councilman and State Assemblyman-elect Isadore Hall, III, Sentinel executive publisher Danny Bakewell, Sr. and actress Holly Robinson Peete, the concert will run from 12 to 6 p.m.

“It’s an opportunity for people of all ethnic backgrounds from all over to come and experience a sense of unity and harmony,” Hall said.

Compton Mayor Eric Perrodin and other elected officials have long spoken of crafting a new vision for the city trying to escape from its unflattering past and Summer Soul Jam has been a big help since its inception five years ago.

Save for one summer when it was not held, it has become the must-see event of the season where residents and guests are guaranteed top-notch entertainment from local artists and some the biggest names in soul and R&B.

In addition to the live performances, there will be a wide variety of food vendors with delicious treats ready to satisfy your hunger for the right price. Tickets are still available for $35 and parking will be $10 at the venue.

The star-studded lineup includes Grammy-nominated singers Anthony Hamilton, Johnny Gill of New Edition and Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band and Grammy-winning singer Jody Watley.

Others on the bill include Hamilton’s wife Tarsha’, actress Tisha-Campbell Martin, music producer Rickey Minor and his band, the Sai Whatt Band, Barbara Morrison and the Blues Mama’s, comedian J. Anthony Brown and Grammy-nominated singer Miki Howard.

Actor/comedian D.L. Hughley was scheduled to attend but will instead be at the funeral of fellow actor/comedian Bernie Mac, who died on August 9. Both men, along with Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainment, formed the Original Kings of Comedy, which became the most successful comedy tour in history and spawned a film directed by Spike Lee.

It has been a sad week of losses as the world also lost funk/soul pioneer and civil rights activist Isaac Hayes on August 10. One can’t think of last year’s Summer Soul Jam without recalling the image of Hayes closing the show with a spectacular performance that would be one of his last in Southern California.

There will be a tribute to both men at the concert who devoted their lives to uplifting the community. Since both also made people smile and feel good, the best way that attendees can remember them Saturday is to have the most fun you can possibly have at this celebration of all things good in the city of Compton.

Those who attended last year’s concert would agree that it was one of the most exciting Black-entertainment extravaganzas of the summer and with another high-profile lineup, this year will leave everybody satisfied once again.

As Hall later added, “This is a time when families can come together and enjoy a great day of soul and entertainment.”