Aretha Franklin was a force of nature. With a voice that could move mountains and a presence that demanded respect, she helped define soul music for generations. Hits like “Respect” became anthems of civil rights and women’s empowerment, while her six-decade career inspired countless artists across genres. From gospel roots to global stages, Franklin’s music and message continue to resonate, proving that the Queen of Soul’s crown will never fade.
Over her career, Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2005, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She passed in 2018 at the age of 76, but her influence continues across generations of artists. Her voice remains one of the most recognizable and celebrated in modern music history.
The Symphony of Southeast Texas joins forces with vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw to bring Aretha’s legendary music to life Saturday, March 7, at the Julie Rogers Theatre in downtown Beaumont at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased online at sost.org.
“I did this show in Connecticut a couple of years ago, and I heard about these two singers – Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw over the years,” said Maestro Chelsea Tipton II. “They both have incredible reputations so I thought it would be just a real force of nature to do this show. I then took it to our artistic planning committee and they thought it was a great idea.
“Aretha’s music is so universal. It really crosses all the strata of the community especially with her iconic songs. So, when we’re programming, we’re looking for artists. We’re looking for ways we can connect with the community. And this was just a real win-win situation for them and for us.”
Franklin was influential for several interwoven reasons – musical, cultural, and social. Born in 1942 in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Franklin began singing in church as a child. Her father was a prominent Baptist minister, and gospel music shaped her powerful vocal style. She rose to international stardom in the 1960s with hits like “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Think.”
Aretha’s voice could convey raw emotion, from gospel fervor to pop sweetness. She had incredible control, improvisational skill, and a signature ability to “own” a song, turning every lyric into something deeply personal. She could sing gospel, soul, jazz, pop, blues, or even classical-inspired arrangements, and she collaborated with artists across all styles, showing a rare adaptability that kept her relevant through changing musical eras. Her performances weren’t just concerts – they were emotional experiences that connected deeply with audiences worldwide.
“Her music was so powerful, and she had deep pipes,” said Tipton. “With no internet back then, I had to dig into an encyclopedia to find out more about her. She had an the most amazing range of any artist, and it really does connect with people more than just a surface level.
“Capathia really embodies Aretha Franklin and her style of singing. Her and Ryan also bring back up singers. They are just fantastic.”
Brooklyn born, Jenkins starred as Medda in the hit Disney production of “Newsies on Broadway.” She made her Broadway debut in “The Civil War” then starred in the Off-Broadway 2000 revival of “Godspell,” where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man,’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. Jenkins has also appeared with numerous orchestras around the world as well as TV credits like “Law & Order,” “30 Rock” and “The Practice.”
Shaw, a Georgia native, is a three-time Grammy nominated artist who has shared the stage with such artists as Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, John Legend, B.B. King and Jill Scott. His most recent album, “Imaging Marvin,” showcases Marvin Gaye hits alongside Shaw’s original songs and features Grammy Award-winning co-writers Valerie Simpson and Rob Thomas, and special guests Derek Trucks, Rob Thomas, Robert Randolph and Shoshana Bean.
“Getting the orchestra to play in different styles that this show has is a real tribute to the quality of musicians we have in the orchestra,” said Tipton. “We have a fantastic rhythm section that can play in any style of music. And when the rhythm section is grooving and moving, the orchestra is falls in line.”
If you are thinking about going to the symphony for the first time, this show would be it.
“You’re going to hear some good music,” said Tipton. “You will hear music that you will recognize and bop your head too. There are 15 short pieces to this program and there will be talking and engagement from the stage. You will also hear a different side of the orchestra, and it might pique your interest to want to hear more about the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Some shows we do can be really sophisticated and really heavy, but this one will be fun for both young and old.”