Poesy Shines is a Buffalo-based poetic music ensemble that combines sounds of the African diaspora with provocative poetry.

Poesy Shines is a nostalgic experience for adults seeking to skip the club scene for a melodious tour of the African diaspora. Blues / Jazz / Rock and Reggae are interlaced beautifully and then kissed with soul-stirring poetry.

Bandleader and percussionist Atria “Lil Momma” Shinette was first inspired to create a poetry-set-to-music production when she played classical piano amongst Zydeco and Southern Soul musicians in her home of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her grandparents were friends with musical powerhouses like James Cleveland, Boozoo Chavis, and Janis Joplin. After relocating to western New York, she appreciated the diversity, but felt that people here had missed out on Creole traditions like jazz brunch, trail rides and Sunday teas.

Lil Momma had been a fan of Dr. Majadi Baruti’s writing since 2015, and the two began collaborating in 2022 when she edited his first published book of poetry entitled A Blues Man’s Blues: Poems of Love, Sex and Revolution. Dr. Baruti’s primary musical influence was his great-grandfather, Grammy-nominated Delta Blues star Johnny Shines. Dr. Baruti began writing after reading album covers and observing the emergence of hiphop culture on the south side of Chicago. As a teen, he joined a dance troupe and was introduced to jazz and poetry by his step-father.

Lil Momma and Dr. Baruti met Jacob Jurewicz when he was volunteering at PUSH Buffalo in 2023. Jacob is the now group’s lead guitarist and saxophonist. He is formally trained in jazz guitar and displays a musical wisdom decades beyond his years. What sets this group apart is that every performance is a one-time experience.

Unlike traditional songs, poems can take on a different character with every recitation. In keeping with the Delta Blues tradition, the members of Poesy Shines play multiple instruments and feature local artists in every performance.

Memphis Minnie was chosen for this special tribute because Johnny Shines named her as his greatest inspiration. She is an unsung trailblazer in country music who later revolutionized Delta Blues and helped to develop what would later be known as Rhythm and Blues.