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About

ABOUT

Christopher Parker and Kelley Hurt
"One of the most powerful things I've ever seen."
-Alex Greene, Memphis Flyer

The No Tears Project is a jazz-inflected collective formed in 2017 and led by vocalist Kelley Hurt, and pianist Christopher Parker.

 

The group’s repertoire is inspired by explorations into social equality and strives to create recognition as a precursor to reconciliation.

 

Born from a musical composition, No Tears Suite, written by Hurt and Parker and commissioned by the nonprofit Oxford American magazine to honor the civil rights heroes the Little Rock Nine, No Tears has evolved into a touring group and outreach program that brings conversations and healing to communities through music.

In addition to Hurt and Parker, a fertile community of creative artists have added texture to the group, including drummers Brian Blade and Darrian Douglas, bassist Rodney Jordan, Robert "Bobby LaVell" Garner (tenor saxophone), Marc Franklin (trumpet), and Chad Fowler (alto saxophone). The ensemble has also collaborated with composers Rufus Reid, Oliver Lake, and Donald Brown among others, as well as with spoken word artist Treasure Shields Redmond and choreographer/researcher, Ashley Tate. 

No Tears Project performance - Little Rock Nine Day 2023
No Tears Project performance at Jazz St. Louis
No Tears Project Memphis performance Crosstown Arts Greenroom

VIDEOS

Video

MUSIC

Music
Upcoming Shows

JOIN US IN JACKSON, MS - SEPT. 27 - 29

We are thrilled to announce the full event schedule below for our Jackson, MS residency September 27-29, 2024 in partnership with the Oxford American, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. 

Bassist and composer Rodney Jordan will premiere a set of new music inspired by the Evers Family.

Thanks to the National Park Foundation's ParkVentures initiative; Jazz Road, a program of SouthArtsSupporting Partner Visit Jackson; and community partners One Voice, the Mississippi State Conference of NAACP, Central Mississippi Blues Society, Mississippi Book Festival, Penguin Random House, Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and JSU's Department of Music for helping make the Jackson residency possible.

Stay tuned for more Fall 2024 tour dates in the Mississippi Delta region

by joining our e-newsletter.

Upcoming Shows

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Feb 21, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    UA-Pulaski Tech CHARTS Theater, 3000 W. Scenic Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72118, USA
    Just announced! No Tears Project will play the UA-Pulaski Tech '24-'25 Concert Series. Join us for this special album release show celebrating the group's forthcoming record, "Humanitics."

PAST EVENTS

  • Indianola, MS
    Indianola, MS
    Historic Club Ebony
    Sep 29, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    Historic Club Ebony, 404 Hanna Ave Indianola, MS 38751
    Sep 29, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    Historic Club Ebony, 404 Hanna Ave Indianola, MS 38751
    No Tears Project is excited to play at Historic Club Ebony, co-presented by the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center! Thank you to Jazz Road, a program of South Arts for helping make this tour possible.
  • We Have Overcome: A Conversation on Progress and the Path Forward
    We Have Overcome: A Conversation on Progress and the Path Forward
    We Have Overcome: A Conversation on Progress and the Path Forward
    https://www.facebook.com/oxfordamerican
    Sep 29, 2024, 3:00 PM
    https://www.facebook.com/oxfordamerican
    Sep 29, 2024, 3:00 PM
    https://www.facebook.com/oxfordamerican
    A pre-recorded conversation with Hezekiah Watkins, Nsombi Lambright and Allytra Perryman moderated by Dr. Ebony Lumumba and streaming online from the Evers Home National Monument.
  • Jackson, MS - Concert
    Jackson, MS - Concert
    Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church
    Sep 28, 2024, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 2110 W Ridgeway St, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
    Sep 28, 2024, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 2110 W Ridgeway St, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
    No Tears Project is excited to perform the world premiere of new music inspired by Medgar and Myrlie Evers! Thank you to National Park Foundation's ParkVentures program, the National Park Service, Jazz Road, and to Oxford American, our presenting sponsors, plus Supporting Partner, Visit Jackson.
  • Sock Hop Dance Party & Freedom Library
    Sock Hop Dance Party & Freedom Library
    Myrlie's Garden (Evers Home Nat'l Mon.)
    Sep 28, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Myrlie's Garden (Evers Home Nat'l Mon.), Missouri St & Margaret W Alexander Dr, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
    Sep 28, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Myrlie's Garden (Evers Home Nat'l Mon.), Missouri St & Margaret W Alexander Dr, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
    Bring your kids and come move your bodies with choreographer/researcher Ashley Tate and dancers from JSU's African Drum & Dance Ensemble! Enjoy story time with author Nadia Salomon and pick up a few free children's books at our Freedom Library.
  • Music Masterclass
    Music Masterclass
    Music Masterclass
    Campus of Jackson State University
    Sep 27, 2024, 12:00 PM
    Campus of Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
    Sep 27, 2024, 12:00 PM
    Campus of Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
    A music masterclass at Jackson State University, made possible by a grant from National Park Foundation and Jazz Road, a program of South Arts.
  • Memphis, TN
    Memphis, TN
    Crosstown Arts Green Room
    Sep 26, 2024, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Crosstown Arts Green Room, Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Ave #280, Memphis, TN 38104
    Sep 26, 2024, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Crosstown Arts Green Room, Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Ave #280, Memphis, TN 38104
    No Tears Project returns to Crosstown Arts Green Room for a Memphis homecoming. Our Mississippi Delta tour is made possible in part by Jazz Road, a program of South Arts.
  • Little Rock Nine Day
    Little Rock Nine Day
    Ron Robinson Theatre
    Sep 25, 2023, 7:00 PM
    Ron Robinson Theatre, Library Square, 100 River Market Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
    Sep 25, 2023, 7:00 PM
    Ron Robinson Theatre, Library Square, 100 River Market Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
  • Memphis Residency
    Memphis Residency
    Crosstown Arts Memphis
    Jun 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – Jun 14, 2023, 2:00 PM
    Crosstown Arts Memphis, 1350 Concourse Ave #280, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
    Jun 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – Jun 14, 2023, 2:00 PM
    Crosstown Arts Memphis, 1350 Concourse Ave #280, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
  • St. Louis Residency
    St. Louis Residency
    Jazz St. Louis & Gateway Arch N.P.
    Apr 26, 2023, 7:00 PM – Apr 29, 2023, 11:00 PM
    Jazz St. Louis & Gateway Arch N.P., 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
    Apr 26, 2023, 7:00 PM – Apr 29, 2023, 11:00 PM
    Jazz St. Louis & Gateway Arch N.P., 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
  • Tulsa - Black Wall Street
    Tulsa - Black Wall Street
    Vernon AME Church
    Sep 25, 2021, 7:00 PM
    Vernon AME Church
    Sep 25, 2021, 7:00 PM
    Vernon AME Church
  • Fayetteville
    Fayetteville
    Fayetteville Public Library
    Sep 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
    Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
    Sep 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
    Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
  • New Orleans Residency
    New Orleans Residency
    Marigny Studios
    Nov 04, 2020, 7:00 PM – Nov 06, 2020, 9:00 PM
    Marigny Studios, 535 Marigny St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
    Nov 04, 2020, 7:00 PM – Nov 06, 2020, 9:00 PM
    Marigny Studios, 535 Marigny St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
  • Symphonic Collaboration
    Symphonic Collaboration
    Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
    Feb 28, 2019, 7:00 PM – Mar 03, 2019, 3:00 PM
    Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
    Feb 28, 2019, 7:00 PM – Mar 03, 2019, 3:00 PM
    Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Bios

BIOS

Memphis native vocalist Kelley Hurt comes from a musical family. She was the recipient of the Phillip’s Award for Best New Artist from the Memphis chapter of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Hurt has toured and recorded with a range of groups including Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Walsh, Bruce Willis and the Accelerators, North Mississippi All-Stars, and many others. She has performed in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

Arkansas native pianist Christopher Parker’s playing associations range from free jazz musicians Kidd Jordan, William Parker, and Douglas Ewart to Brian Blade, Delfeyo Marsalis, Joe Jennings, and Blues musicians Luther and Cody Dickinson, among others. He has appeared on over 20 albums, and performed in the US, South America, and Europe.

Photos