Inspiring Young Musicians to Perform Aug. 8 in Canyon Square

By Laurel Busby

News & Information Editor

Cosmic jazz and progressive R&B will be on the program Saturday night at Canyon Square.

At 6 p.m. on Aug. 8, alto saxophonist Chris Powe will share his spiritual style of jazz followed by Graham Riley’s modern rhythm and blues. Backing musicians will feature Canyon Grocer employee and event organizer Sam Walker on bass and guitar.

Walker discovered Powe and Riley “through L.A.’s emerging and blossoming independent arts scene,” and, for the event, he has also brought back musicians who entertained at Canyon Square on May 30, including Ari Winegarten on drums and Aidan Kluger on keyboards. Walker’s younger brother, Ben, who plays bass and keyboards, and guitarist Milo Sherman will round out the players.

The free event at 169 W. Channel Rd. will offer refreshments for purchase, including fried chicken from Pa’s Biscutisserie, refined liquors from Pentire Drinks, and Italian cuisine, wine, and beer from Vittorio’s.

Chris Powe

Powe, an L.A. native, studied under Grammy-nominee Scott Mayo and progressed through the music program at the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center in Leimert Park, the heart of the Black creative community, before earning a bachelor’s degree in music business/management from the Berklee College of Music, where he studied under esteemed professors such as Tia Fuller and Gregory Groover, according to his website. During college, he also played multiple shows in Boston, New York City, and the greater New England region.

Since returning home, Powe has earned residencies and has played at multiple venues across the city, according to Walker. Powe recently released his debut EP, The Search, which is available on all streaming platforms.

Graham Riley

Singer/songwriter Graham Riley, 24, trained as a classical pianist during childhood, although his vocals and current sound take more inspiration from left-of-center indie pop, R&B, and traditional soul ballads. His upbeat pop track Star is featured in the 2022 Amazon Prime film Master starring Regina Hall, while his 2023 song, Front Porch was featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and other playlists, according to Roc Nation. By 2024, Riley had amassed over 8 million streams with Rain and Pain on My Mind being his most popular tracks.

Oddly enough, Riley first received publicity as a child through Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey show appearances, which highlighted his extensive knowledge of U.S. history. Although these experiences didn’t inspire him musically, they did help him develop a “sense of confidence and calm in front of a crowd,” according to an interview in Flex Music Blog.

“I've tried to carry this attitude throughout my life; I want to feel as comfortable as I can in front of a live crowd,” Riley told the interviewer. “Performing or releasing music is a vulnerable thing to do if you’re, you know, being honest, authentic and forthright. So although I wasn't performing music on those shows, I feel as if the experience of ‘performing’ and receiving positive feedback catalyzed me.”