Up Close with Don King

Up Close with Don King

Don King has been a force in RI’s artistic community for many years, including his role as the founder of the Black Repertory Theatre and Sound Session.  He also is one of the founding members and a DJ with the AfroSonic Collective. With this year’s Sound Session kicking off this Sunday, around the corner, we sat down with him to ask him about this year’s festival.

This year’s Sound Session has a bit of a different format from past years. How do you think this year’s event brings Sound Session forward?

Well it’s a tradition, not just a music festival. People must understand that we are building a tradition. This year is a new spirit, new energy and like our theme says: Brand New Day.

What performers are you most excited about having at this year’s Sound Session?

We are excited about having Trombone Shorty back again, as well as Wunmi, The Dream, AfroSonic Collective, Route 44, and Audio McSwagger.

Sound Session has been a staple of Providence’s summer festivals. How do you think festivals like Sound Session, Foo Fest, IndieArt Fest, and the Wooley Fair contribute to Providence as the “Creative Capital”?

It brings everyone to the creative capital in order to experience the unique creative culture we have here in Providence. We truly have a wonderful artistic community here from spoken word to music.

You’ve started King Communications to produce this year’s Sound Session, does King Communications plan to produce other events in the coming year?

Yes. KCG intends to produce events. We are a communications group how ever so we are focused on Communications, Branding, Strategic Sales & Marketing initiatives, Public Relations & event management. We have some great clients that we are looking forward to focusing our energy towards & some potential events in other states. Although the Group is centrally located here in RI we have affiliates & proffessionals all over the country (Boston, D.C., Durham, N.C., New Jersey) & even in Paris, France. It's an exciting time full of potential.


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I have always known you to be a musicphile. Do you have any plans to venture into music composing or production yourself?

I would love to man! It's just about time. I have two intelligent & beautiful kids that I am accountable for. So I have to be very careful where I spend my time. They are really my focus. Meaning I still follow my passion for art, music & life but I am learning to be a bit more shrewd about the bottom line. Time is money. Plus I really value my time with them so I am always trying to figure out how to get more of it. To be more autonomous that is. So one day I hope to have the luxury of being able to produce sounds. A lot of interesting sounds live inside of me for sure. I feel like I recognize this as fact & simply need a clearance of time & space to get it out.

Sound Session takes place in Providence beginning this Sunday July 18, running through Saturday, July 24th. To learn more, visit their Web site, here.