The Sock Joplin Trio Presents:

A Journey Into Sound  

Friday, November 15th and Saturday, November 16th

7:30 pm at The REP Theatre

Tickets: $60 and $48 for REP Members

 “A Journey Into Sound” sees the return of pianist and Music Sociologist, Joshua “Sock Joplin” Thompson with another program and set of guest artists who are sure to leave their indelible mark on the Seaside community. Thompson welcomes his identical twin brother, Jared Thompson, composer, saxophonist and bandleader of the multi-album producing band Premium Blend. The duo will be joined by powerhouse vocalist, PsyWrn Simone. Together, these acclaimed and national touring artists give audiences a musical experience that explores the richand intertwined histories of Black music from classical composers of African descent, spirituals, jazz, Hip-hop, and Neo-Soul.

This event is made possible by the Arts & Entertainment fee collected by the Merchants of Seaside.

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Meet The Sock Joplin Trio

Joshua “Sock Joplin” Thompson

Known onstage as “Sock Joplin”, Joshua Thompson is a pianist, music sociologist, and lecturer recognized nationally for his expertise on classical composers of African descent. A recipient of numerous awards and national fellowships, Thompson has completed residencies at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, University of Puget Sound, University of Louisville, Seaside, FL, University of Nebraska Omaha, and currently serves as the Creative Partner in Residence with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. A 2019 TED Talk presenter, Thompson is the creator of the award-winning podcast, Melanated Moments in Classical Music which has a global listening audience in over 2,000 cities and is used as curriculum in colleges and universities. Joshua has worked and performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Anthony Davis, New York Philharmonic clarinetist Anthony McGill, and legendary operatic soprano, Angela Brown.

PsyWrn Simone

AshLee “PsyWrn Simone” Baskin (pronounced Sī-ren Si-mōn) is an Indianapolis, IN based multi-hyphenate Performing Artist and Arts Advocate/Educator who has been a vibrant force in the Arts community for the last several years. Known for artistically rich collaborations with bands, collectives, and prominent musicians in the city and beyond, she is gaining increasing visibility as she expands her artistic prowess beyond music into theatre and other creative disciplines.

Driven by the legendary Nina Simone’s appeal for artists to “reflect the times”, PsyWrn blends activism and art. By incorporating various forms of soulful expression, her performances transform into a captivating, multi-sensory, experience! A multifaceted artist, PsyWrn seamlessly shifts from Vocalist to Songwriter, to Lyricist, to Spoken Word Artist, to Actor, to Teaching Artist—depending on the context. Armed with passion and compelled by intention, her intersectional work is both an examination of and commentary on culture with a central focus to uplift, educate, empower, and effect change. Musically, her style has been described as “Neo-Afro Soul with a side of funk,” while “wrecking the status quo with a beat, some lyrics, and a seductive melody.”

Jared Thompson

Saxophonist, composer, and arranger Jared Thompson began studying piano at the age of 5 and saxophone at the age of 10. The Denison University alum (c/o 2004) formed the jazz quintet Premium Blend in 2007. Premium Blend has been featured in two national award-winning documentaries “Go Get Your Horn,” and “Chatterbox: A Love Letter.” In 2019 Premium Blend was awarded a commission by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and directed and produced the mini documentary “38th & Postmodernism” that addressed the myriad of social tensions that were at the forefront of America’s mind throughout 2020. That same year the mini documentary was accepted and screened by the Heartland International Film Festival.

Thompson has opened for international artists like Trombone Shorty and Tank & the Bangas and was also featured at SXSW in 2018. In 2022, Thompson was awarded the prestigious MapFund artist grant out of New York City as well as several commissions from Classical Music Indy and The Center for the Performing Arts at The Palladium. Most recently, Thompson received the Artist at Work Grant from the Simon Family Foundation and is a teaching artist with Arts for Learning. Premium Blend has released five albums “S.O.A.P.” (Sum of All Parts-2017), “The Road” (2019), “Vices” (2021), “38th & Postmodernism” (2022), and “Virtue” (2023). Thompson’s main goal is the present the evolution of jazz music from its zenith of popularity during the Blue Note Record years to today.

Experience the best of live music!

With its intimate venue and low-key atmosphere, live music has the perfect home at The REP Theatre! The REP regularly hosts popular local acts, award-winning artists, and pre-fame up-and-comers on tour, offering audiences and musical guests an exciting and unique experience they cannot find anywhere else on 30A. In addition to special concerts like The Sock Joplin Trio, The REP is pleased to welcome Charlie Mars, GRAMMY-recognized Jeff Black, Mike Kinnebrew, Jill Sobule & Jesse Lynn Madera, and the neo-classical piano prodigy BLKBOK as part of the LIVE@TheREP Concert Series. With such a talented lineup of artists and electrifying music programming, it’s no wonder why so many people LOVE THE REP!

Patrons of LIVE@TheREP Park Free!

Thanks to the generosity of the Seaside Merchants, REP Patrons park free in Seaside when coming to REP concerts during the fall season. REP guests will be emailed parking details on the morning of the event. Be sure to purchase your tickets early! You must purchase your concert tickets by 8:00 am on the day of the event to qualify for free parking.