The Sock Joplin Trio Presents:

A Day in the Life 

Friday, May 9th and Saturday, May 10th

7:30 pm at The REP Theatre

Tickets: $60 and $48 for REP Members

The acclaimed Sock Joplin Trio – Pianist Joshua Thompson, composer/saxophonist Jared Thompson, and multi-genre vocalist PsyWrn Simone – returns to The REP for two captivating performances, masterfully blending classical music, bebop, neo-soul, and hip-hop with compelling musical storytelling. Drawing on their renowned charisma and musical aptitude, these national touring artists weave together classical masterworks by Florence Price, Oswald Russell, and Julia Perry with modern grooves from Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and original selections from their own expanding repertoire to offer audiences a vibrant glimpse into “A Day in the Life” of these magnetic artists. A lot can happen in 24 hours, and The Sock Joplin Trio sets it all to music for a weekend of lighthearted and soul-stirring artistry!

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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

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 LIVE@TheREP Concert Series 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. With such a talented lineup of artists and more music surprises on the way, it’s no wonder why so many people LOVE THE REP!

Don’t wait to secure your seats! Our LIVE@TheREP concerts are hugely popular on 30A and sell out fast. Get your tickets before they are gone!

Patrons of LIVE@TheREP Park Free!

Thanks to the generosity of the Seaside Merchants, REP Patrons park free in Seaside when coming to the LIVE@TheREP Concert Series during the spring 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 LIVE@TheREP tickets by 8:00 am on the day of the event to qualify for free parking.