LEX SMOOTH JAZZ CONCERT SERIES: Upcoming 4th Season Artists

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Daryl Beebe is a phenomenal and innovative saxophonist, producer, songwriter, composer, preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, counselor, and Central Officer Administrator for the Wayne Westland Community School District. Daryl earned his Bachelor of Arts from Kentucky State University, majoring in criminal justice and minoring in music. He was a university jazz, concert, and marching band member. During his undergraduate studies, Beebe began to focus on songwriting, production, improvisation, and poetry. Later, he received his Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees from the University of Cincinnati. Daryl has performed and opened for recording artists such as Norman Brown, Will Downing, Stephnie Mills, Tim Boman, Randy Scott, Kurt Carr, Mickey Howard, Karen Clark-Sheard, James Carter, Donnie McClurkin, Vicki Winans, and Martha Reeves. 

This multitiered talent educator has many talents. Beebe has released Four CDs, and eight of Daryl’s singles have received Global Radio airplay through Sirius XM Watercolors and multiple electronic media outlets worldwide. You can also listen to and stream Beebe on The Daryl Beebe radio stations on Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music. In 2020, Daryl’s song Breathe reached number 6# on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts, and he continues to excel in the smooth jazz and gospel markets.

Beebe was influenced by his father, Roy Beebe (Musician and composer), his mother, Margie Beebe (who allowed him to practice all night hours as a teen), and his music teacher, Dr. Limuel Dokes. Beebe’s musical performances have been described as “electrifying,” “explosive,” “uplifting,” and “awe-inspiring.” He is known for his rich, melodic sound on the tenor saxophone, his ability to wow audiences with screaming high notes on alto, and his ability to hold long tones, leaving audiences wanting more.

In November 2021, Beebe released his sophomore album entitled “Better Together.” This music compilation provides listeners with a backdrop for all elements of life. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the hostile climate of politics, and many social ills attempt to divide us, Daryl’s message to the world is that we are “Better Together.” 

Daryl has been featured on the Detroit, Live in the D show on Channel 4 WDIV. Click on Detroit, morning news. The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, Detroit Jazz Riverwalk concert series, The Kimmie Horne Jazz Fest, Jazz on the River, the Motor City Praisefest, and many venues, churches, and festivals throughout the country. 

Daryl has been married to his college sweetheart and the love of his life, “Shaka” Shaun Beebe, for over 30 years and has two children: a son, Blake, and a daughter, Brooke.

Visit https://www.darylbeebemusic.com for more information.

“Here I am now, a signed artist doing the kind of music that I want to do and I couldn’t be happier,” said Erin Stevenson, an R&B, soul, and pop singer, producer, and songwriter in an interview with The Harvard Crimson. “I’m excited about what’s next. Just don’t give up.”

Stevenson started her music career singing in Girl's Tyme — the group that would later become Destiny’s Child. After graduating college, she worked in marketing before she was asked to sing in a show.

“I didn’t look back,” Stevenson said. “So I started singing in cover bands.” Shortly after, she was approached in California by a stranger who she later found out was Janet Jackson’s drummer. He offered Stevenson an audition and shortly after, she began singing background for Janet Jackson and other artists.

“You have to love what you do because it’s a lot that comes with it — it’s not for the faint of heart,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson released her debut solo album “Naked” in 2017. Her first single “Hangin” made the top 10 on the UK music charts and charted on the soul charts in the United States. Following this success, she released the indie-chart-topping single “Making It Last Forever” in 2019, and her latest singles “You Gotta Be” and “Never Too Much” set her up to win a 2021 “People’s Choice Indie Soul Award.”

Stevenson also felt that the pandemic brought beneficial changes to her career and livelihood during the past couple of years.

“I was touring and performing so much prior to [the pandemic] that it forced me to rest, which I needed to do. But at the same time, it also forced me to focus solely on myself and make myself a priority,” Stevenson said. “So it was the most that I rested, but at the same time the most I have worked because I now have a whole other album coming out, but I get my name, which is great.”

Stevenson has spent much of her career singing as backup for other major artists, but the pandemic allowed her to focus on promoting herself. As a result, she has a new album coming out this year. A recent signee with individual records, the album will be Stevenson’s first major release under a record label. Her first single under the label “Everything to Me” will be released on Feb. 18, 2022, and will reflect her love for her husband.

Much like other artists who utilized streaming services to broadcast live shows to their fans over the pandemic, Stevenson also found that these experiences were valuable for artists as ways to continue their work during the isolation. However, to Stevenson, streaming a live show was still not the same as an engaging, in-person experience.

“In regards to live performances, the streaming thing was a lifesaver, a game-changer, and a whole other learning curve. But it’s still not the same as having that live energy with people,” said Stevenson. “I think people who weren’t in the music industry still need to see some form of normalcy and music in love.”

Erin Stevenson will be performing live in Lexington on Saturday, November 29, 2025 as part of the LEX Smooth Jazz Concert Series as part of the “Holiday Edition” double-billed concert with Saxophonist Daryl Beebe.

Christmas will be in the air and Erin shared her thoughts during this interview about music during the holiday season. “Christmas music is a bit more intricate than regular R&B,” Stevenson said. “They are arrangements, it’s not looped. So, bringing the setlist together with which songs that flow that still suit me and my happy personality. I’m really excited about it because Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and because I get to be happy on purpose.”

February 5, 2022, Interview by Monique I. Vobecky, Harvard Crimson Magazine

Visit https://www.erinstevensonmusic.com for more information.