Written by | Ray Cornelius

Some of the biggest names in Atlanta’s jazz and soul music scene took to the stage this past weekend as part of a salute to the “Music in the Movies.” The fundraising event was the “unofficial” kick-off of the 2017 BronzeLens Film Festival and took place at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center on the campus of Morehouse College.

Award-winning vocalists and actresses—Kathleen Bertrand, Julie Dexter, Pamela Dillard, Rhonda Thomas, Chandra Currelley, Theresa Hightower and Brenda Nicole Moorer—all performed classic tunes from such memorable films as “The Wiz,” “The Color Purple,” “Claudine,” “Whats Love Got to Do With It,” “The Bodyguard” and “Lady Sings the Blues.”

The evening was also emceed by Atlanta media maven and “A Seat at the Table” co-host Monica Pearson, who performed her very own bluesy rendition of Lena Horne‘s “Stormy Weather. ” She also shared fun and interesting facts with the audience about the songs, the songwriters, the movies and the actors.

Check out my best images below and click here for more information about the BronzeLens Film Festival which begins today through Sunday, August 27:

JULIE DEXTER

THERESA HIGHTOWER

KATHLEEN BERTRAND

PAMELA DILLARD

BRENDA NICOLE MOORER

MONICA PEARSON

RHONDA THOMAS

CHANDRA CURRELLEY

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com