Featuring work by muralist and multimedia artist Michael Jones, Polyphonic explores sounds of the South and the distinct music culture that has surrounded the Southern region throughout history.
The Atlanta-based, Dallas-born artist highlights the soulful samples of hip hop that are heavily influenced by Southern soul music, especially those in the work of Sylvester “Sly” Stewart a Dallas, Texas-born musician. These sounds of the South are embodied through a distinct 808 beat, and the work of funk and soul artists like Albany’s own Ray Charles. Jones provides visual representations of these artists’ symphonic legacies.
Jones not only references histories and iconic figures of the rap, soul, and funk genres but he considers marching band culture and sound as staples in the Black Southern experience. The artist talks about the marching band as a key aspect of Black childhood, developing into how he makes informed musical references within his work today.
Michael Jones: Polyphonic takes its name from the definition of the word meaning “the simultaneous combination of two or more melodic tones” coming together to create the unique sounds of the South that have a fond familiarity.
