Street Corner Renaissance Live at Catalina Jazz Club — May 1, 2026

A Group Born in the Heart of South LA

Street Corner Renaissance was co-founded by Torrénce Brannon-Reese and Maurice Kitchen as a direct expression of FA-MLI’s belief that culture saves lives. The group draws from the deepest wells of Black American musical tradition — doo-wop, soul, gospel, R&B — performing with no instruments, only voices, in the tradition of the great street corner harmony groups that shaped American music.

For Brannon-Reese, performing has never been separate from organizing. The same voice that leads community forums, mentorship sessions, and 30 years of advocacy in Leimert Park is the voice that takes the stage at Catalina — carrying the stories of South Los Angeles into some of the city’s most prestigious performance spaces.

Windy Barnes Joins the Stage

Adding to the evening’s depth is Windy Barnes, a veteran Chicago South Side songstress whose roots in the blues and soul tradition run as deep as the music itself. Street Corner Renaissance will back her up while she joins in on their signature songs — creating the kind of intergenerational, cross-city musical conversation that FA-MLI has always championed through its Legendary Nights series and beyond.

Part of a Bigger Season

This Catalina performance kicks off a California mini-tour for Street Corner Renaissance, with a second appearance at the San Pedro Music Festival on May 16th. Together these dates mark a significant moment for the group — expanding their reach while staying rooted in the cultural mission that launched them.