Black women rock: Tribute to Betty Davis brings heat to Detroit’s Charles H. Wright

Here’s what we call a winner. Four fiercely independent female artists — Jessica Care Moore, Imani Uzuri, Steffanie Christi’an and Tamar-kali — who defy rock and roll stereotypes performing a concert tribute to the great Betty Davis, a flamboyant funk diva with few equals three decades after her prime time in the 1970s.

Davis combined the gritty emotional realism of Tina Turner, the futuristic fashion of David Bowie, and the trendsetting flair of Miles Davis, her husband for a year. But what a year! She turned Miles on to Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, providing the spark that led to Miles’ musical reinvention on In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew.

An internationally renowned poet, publisher, literary activist, performance artist, playwright and actor, Moore is a five-time Showtime at the Apollo winner. Compared to artists like Grace Jones and Nina Simone, vocalist/composer/performer Imani Uzuri has collaborated with Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Talib Kweli and Sly and Robbie. Fusing the musical influence of such greats as Janis Joplin, Prince, Bob Marley and Tori Amos, Christi’an’s talents have been noticed by Eminem, Erykah Badu and Amp Fiddler. Whether channeling Billie Holiday or Bad Brains, Brooklyn native and resident hardcore-soul queen Tamar-kali wields her pen and guitar with equal ferocity. 

Black Women Rock! A Tribute to Betty Davis is free, best of all. Saturday, March 27 8 – 11 p.m. At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Avenue, in Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center.