A Night of Jazz and Community at the Kerr Center

The Kerr Community Center came alive on Saturday evening as the City of Bastrop sponsored a free night of music, fellowship, and history. The event was made possible through city funding, with donations encouraged to support both the historic Kerr Community Center and the African American Cultural Center. The Bastrop Lions Club also joined the effort, serving up concessions to raise funds for their own service projects, adding to the spirit of giving that carried through the evening.

Attendees included Council Member Perry Lowe with his wife and daughter, Council Member Cynthia Sanders Meyer with her husband, local historian Dianne Mills, storyteller Colin Guerra, and community leaders such as Krystal Grimes Amma, founder of the Heal Alliance, and Jen Lucas, Director of Transformative Leadership. Also in attendance were Lueella “Lulu” Shelton and Nakiva Washington of Shelton Legacy Press, present to document the occasion for the South End Chronicle.

Council Member Perry Lowe with his wife and daughter, Council Member Cynthia Sanders Meyer with her husband

The Music Begins

The stage welcomed Pamela Hart, hailed as Austin’s “First Lady of Jazz,” accompanied by an exceptional ensemble: Charles Swift Phillips on drums—an educator during the week, Dr. J. George on double bass—a professor of jazz at Huston-Tillotson University, and Dr. Ross Mizzel on piano—a professor at the University of Texas in Austin. Together, they filled the hall with a seamless blend of classic jazz standards, smooth ballads, and vibrant improvisations.

Pamela Hart’s voice carried warmth, clarity, and elegance, echoing her reputation for artistry and effortless pitch control. Between numbers, she shared stories of her journey and acknowledged the importance of preserving cultural spaces like the Kerr Center, reminding the audience that jazz is as much about community as it is about music.

Hart, co-founder of the Women in Jazz Association, reminded the audience that jazz is not only a legacy art form but also a living one, passed down through families, teachers, and communities. Her mentorship of Kylie Phillips in that moment brought the point home: jazz has a future because young people are being invited to step into its legacy.

Spotlight on Youth

Kylie Philips singing Nina Simone’ s Feeling Good

A special highlight of the evening came when youth singer Kylie Phillips was invited to the stage. With her father on drums and her mother cheering from the audience, Kylie performed “Feeling Good,” enchanting the crowd with her poise and soulful delivery. The room erupted in applause, reflecting pride not only in her talent but in the promise of the next generation of artists.

Finale: A Generational Song

The evening reached a joyful peak when Pamela and Kylie joined voices for a spirited duet of the classic “Hit the Road Jack.” Hart’s seasoned sultry tones blended seamlessly with Kylie’s youthful energy, the call-and-response filling the hall with rhythm, laughter, and applause. It was a living expression of jazz’s essence—tradition passed down, renewed, and celebrated across generations.

As the audience cheered, Hart invited Kylie to stay on stage for one last song. Together they closed the night with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Summertime.” Their harmonies rose and fell with grace, transforming the hall into a space of reverence and hope. The audience responded with a standing ovation, affirming not only the artistry of the performers but also the enduring legacy of jazz as a bridge between past and future.

Closing Notes

Saturday’s performance was more than a concert—it was a celebration of culture, resilience, and community. It honored the Kerr Community Center’s historic role as a gathering place while also highlighting its future as a hub for cultural preservation and artistic expression.

As the music faded, what remained was a renewed sense of pride and connection. Jazz, like history, thrives when it is shared, and the evening at Kerr reminded everyone present that the South End’s legacy continues to inspire, unite, and uplift.