With his latest effort, 2024's critically acclaimed album Soul Brother No. 1 in tow, alt-blues luminary Rev. Shawn Amos joins forces with the relentless Queen Esther ("...the unknown queen of Americana..." - Feedback) and her latest idea: All Cats Are Beautiful, a country soul song cycle – performed by the hard bop jazz collective Wayne Tucker and The Bad Mothas – with each song exploring the life of an innocent Black person murdered by the police. Integrating original music, spoken word, storytelling, cabaret, movement and joy, Queen Esther and The Rev take the audience higher, exploding stereotypes and well-worn narratives to reveal our humanity -- and our collective struggle.

"Adopting James Brown's mantle as Soul Brother No. 1 for an album title is a ballsy move. But it quickly becomes apparent that on his latest project, The Reverend Shawn Amos is not trying to subvert Brown's legacy or sound, but rather carrying on the tradition of soul artists who have paved the way for Black voices to effect social change through music."– Grant Britt, No Depression

"Raised in Atlanta, Georgia before striking out for various outerlands, the Queen received early musical visions performing with James "Blood" Ulmer, which included a tour of duty with his band Odyssey. Needless to say Queen Esther drinks in fully from the musical waters that really have no name, but instead come from an inner fabrication where the woman understands what roots are really all about, and then implants them wherever she sees fit. This is free-form fullness that knows no walls." - Bill Bentley, Americana Highways

Queen Esther Website
Rev. Shawn Amos Website

Photo Credit: Aidan Grant