Part of the 10th Annual Uncharted Concert Series
Armed with original songs, formidable vocal chops and a powerhouse of a band, Queen Esther uses her Southern roots to create a sound she calls Black Americana.
Described as "... the unknown queen of Americana ..." (Feedback, Norway), "... a Black Lucinda Williams ..." and a "... brutal, original, explosive singer ..." (Vanity Fair, Spain), Queen Esther's creative output musically is the culmination of several critical Southern elements, not the least of which are years of recording and touring internationally as frontwoman for several projects with her mentor, harmolodic guitar icon James "Blood" Ulmer, including a stint in his seminal band, Odyssey. Raised in Atlanta, GA, and embedded in Charleston, SC's Lowcountry – a region with African traditions and Black folkways that span centuries and constantly inform her work – Harlem-based producer, vocalist, songwriter, musician and performer Queen Esther uses her Gullah roots as a touchstone to explore cultural mores in America, deconstructing well-worn historical narratives while creating a reclamation-driven soundscape....
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Part of the 10th Annual Uncharted Concert Series
Armed with original songs, formidable vocal chops and a powerhouse of a band, Queen Esther uses her Southern roots to create a sound she calls Black Americana.
Described as "... the unknown queen of Americana ..." (Feedback, Norway), "... a Black Lucinda Williams ..." and a "... brutal, original, explosive singer ..." (Vanity Fair, Spain), Queen Esther's creative output musically is the culmination of several critical Southern elements, not the least of which are years of recording and touring internationally as frontwoman for several projects with her mentor, harmolodic guitar icon James "Blood" Ulmer, including a stint in his seminal band, Odyssey. Raised in Atlanta, GA, and embedded in Charleston, SC's Lowcountry – a region with African traditions and Black folkways that span centuries and constantly inform her work – Harlem-based producer, vocalist, songwriter, musician and performer Queen Esther uses her Gullah roots as a touchstone to explore cultural mores in America, deconstructing well-worn historical narratives while creating a reclamation-driven soundscape.
Queen Esther's creative output in New York City has led to prolific collaborations in neo-vaudeville, alt-theater, various alt-rock factions, (neo) swing bands, trip-hop DJs, spoken word performances, jazz combos, jam bands, numerous blues configurations, original Off-Broadway plays and musicals, experimental music, art noise and performance art. She refines her skills with performances in the city as she writes, produces and releases jazz and Black Americana albums on her label EL Recordings, thanks to an admin publishing deal with Bug Music (now BMG). She has self-released two singles and seven critically acclaimed albums, including the Lady Day-tinged Things Are Looking Up (April 2024) and Blackbirding (March 2025). A member of SAG/AFTRA, Actors Equity, Dramatists Guild and the Recording Academy, 2023 artist fellowships include Joe’s Pub Working Group and Keychange, as well as a playwriting residency with the WP Theater Pipeline Playlab and The Orchard Project.
Queen Esther created Blackbirding as a reclamation-driven soundtrack of alt-Americana songs while living on the Gettysburg battlefield during an All Media Artist Residency at Gettysburg National Military Park, through the National Park Service. This album serves as a requiem for the Antebellum South, Reconstruction and the Black folk who lived through it. Ultimately, they begin the work of unraveling the reason why America's Civil War has never really ended.
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