Truartspeaks

09/19/2026

Tonight is the night we PLAY together at Icehouse with Kashimana, Davu Seru & deVon Russel Gray, Kenna, and host, Eshay Brantley! Come out for a night of improvisation, musical genius, and creative joy! Tonight with doors at 6:00p and an 8:00p show!

Taking a note from acclaimed poet and author, Danez Smith, this event has two titles: (When Black Folx) Play, or Play, celebrates the extemporaneous and improvisational aspects of Black music, or play, and invites attendees to sit in the play space with the artists, following the music wherever it may go. We’ve invited some of the most innovative creators in the Twin Cities to demonstrate song construction, musical deconstruction, and jazz with you all—Kashimana Ahua, Davu Seru & deVon Gray, alongside DJ Kenna! Oh, and you aren’t off the hook! We will have a few materials in the space for you to create as well. Let’s have some fun together. Tickets are $12 in Advance, $20 at the Door. Available at TruArtSpeaks.org and icehousempls.com.

Sponsored, in part, by MPR.

09/12/2026

We’re out at the the 25th Selby Jazz Fest until end!

Come say what’s up, answer some of our trivia questions, grab a chat book, and learn more about the org!

We have merch for purchase, too! Lots of vibes, community, resources, food, and music! What chu waitin’ on?

09/11/2026

We will be there! Will we see you? 🤗

IT’S HERE TOMORROW. 🎷

After months of planning, posting, rehearsing, building, dreaming and talking about it…The 25th Annual Selby Avenue JazzFest is finally here.

And the forecast? Perfect. ☀️

Tomorrow, Selby Avenue comes alive with music, dancing, food, art, vendors, the Family Fun Zone, the second line, the brass band, and thousands of people coming together for a day of jazz and community.
And then, at 6:30…

STOKLEY takes the stage.

📍 Selby Avenue between Milton & Victoria
🗓️ Tomorrow — Saturday, September 12
🎟️ FREE & open to everyone

Bring your people. Bring a chair. Bring your dancing shoes.

We’ll see you on Selby.

Thank you to Levitt Family Foundation for its support of the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival! We love Levitt Family Foundation’s mission, which is to strengthen the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. In 2026, Levitt is supporting more than 1,000 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to create healthy, connected, and thriving communities. Learn more: levitt.org

The JazzFest is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Fund.

The JazzFest is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

And the JazzFest is supported, in part, by the City of St. Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program.

09/09/2026

We are so impressed and thankful to The Muatas for joining us during the July iteration of the Urgent Emergent Performance Art Series. The Muatas exemplify a commitment to art for social impact and longevity in music. If you missed their performance, here is a clip. If you want more space for good music, join us at Icehouse on September 19th for Volume 9, featuring Davu Seru, deVon Gray, Kashimana, and DJ Kenna. Link in bio for tickets.

09/08/2026

On September 19th, at Icehouse in Minneapolis, we are gathering to explore “play” within Black music and creative expression. The artists on the bill truly lean into what is possible musically, creatively, socially, and more—you do not want to miss this offering! Doors at 6p, show at 8p. Tickets available via our bio!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: deVon Russel Gray

deVon Russell Gray is a divinely guided multi-media social justice activist and pantheistic audial alchemist whose work redefines the role of music in activism and cultural transformation. At the core of his practice is a foundational commitment to approaching every new project with humility and openness—embodying a “beginner’s mind” that seeks continual death and rebirth to expand his artistic horizons. Gray harnesses the power of sound to confront urgent social issues such as policing, personal autonomy, and the systemic injustices faced by Black and Brown communities. Echoing the words of scholar and composer George E. Lewis, who reflects on the emergence of a “new type of composer” rooted in intercultural dialogue, Gray embodies this evolution through his own transformative journey. After years of Eurocentric training and scholarship, Gray has intentionally dislocated from traditional frameworks, navigating a space centered in decoloniality and Afrofuturism. His work challenges existing paradigms, forging innovative cultural pathways that resonate deeply with contemporary social justice struggles and artistic liberation.

Sponsored, in part, by MPR.

09/06/2026

Wrapping up a fruitful weekend retreat, eager to continue the work with greater clarity.

Big thanks to The Fields at Rootsprings for cultivating such a peaceful place to get away, go in, and be held. The Field is a gift to us all.

🖤

09/03/2026

Tonight from 6-8p during at Flava Cafe we have the privilege of hearing from DJ DIGIE on the 1s and 2s setting the tone for all of the artists hitting the mic! Pull up with the aux, the USB, and the vocals ready!