Erika Johnson, Quincy Troupe & Kelvyn Bell to perform for Nu-Art Series

The Nu-Art Series this week announced two upcoming events at the Metropolitan Gallery, located downtown at 2936 Locust Street.

Singer Erika Johnson (pictured, above left) will reprise "Erika Sings Nina," a tribute to the music of Nina Simone, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15. A native of East St. Louis, Johnson studied music with Ron Carter at Lincoln HS and Jackson State University, and has performed around St. Louis both as a leader and with saxophonist Willie Akins and others.

Then next month, poet and author Quincy Troupe and singer/guitarist Kelvyn Bell (pictured, below left) will return home to join forces for a performance under the name "SoundArt" at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 19.

Both natives of the St. Louis area who years ago relocated to the East Coast, Troupe and Bell first teamed up in 2009 for a performance with drummer Ronnie Burrage at Robbie's House of Jazz here in St. Louis. The "SoundArt" project is described as "a driving, mystical, melodic music that has sparked an unexpected buzz among lovers of jazz, hip-hop, and the spoken word and promises to energize audiences around the world."

Tickets for both concerts will be $10 for general admission, available at the door.