Local favorite Kendra Glenn lit up Saint Paul’s Rice Park with soul, blues, and heartfelt vocals during the “Summer Nights in Rice” concert series.
A warm summer breeze, the backdrop of Saint Paul’s historic Landmark Center, and the powerhouse vocals of Kendra Glenn made for a perfect evening in downtown Saint Paul on Thursday, July 31. Families, music lovers, and passersby gathered for “Summer Nights in Rice,” a free outdoor concert series that continues to spotlight the soul of the Twin Cities music scene.
The headliner for the evening was the Kendra Glenn Band, a local favorite known for delivering joy-filled sets of soul, blues and R&B. The concert, held from 5 to 7 p.m., drew a multigenerational crowd who brought lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and snacks to enjoy live music in one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces.
Glenn, who grew up in Chicago and has been performing in Minnesota for more than two decades, said being invited back for a second time by Landmark Center was a true honor.
“It’s a thrill, it’s a treat, and everyone here has been so welcoming,” she said in an interview ahead of the show. “We love performing in this space because it’s family-friendly, and people just come out to relax and have a good time.”
That sense of ease and community was felt throughout the performance. From young children moving joyously, to longtime fans swaying along in folding chairs, Glenn’s magnetic stage presence brought people together through music.
But her journey into professional artistry wasn’t traditional. “I’ve always sang,” she said. “But professionally, I kind of stumbled into it. I moved here from Chicago and used to go to karaoke just for fun. One day someone heard me singing and asked if I was in a band. I wasn’t, but I auditioned, and that’s how it started.”
She was 30 at the time. Now 56, she’s been lighting up stages across the Twin Cities for years, performing regularly at venues like the Dakota Jazz Club, Crooners, and Umbra. Getting booked at Crooners, she noted with pride, “finally happened after 25 years.”
Glenn’s sound is rooted in classic soul and blues, but it’s her emotional honesty and connection to the audience that truly define her artistry. “The feeling we try to give people is joy,” she said. “I’ve had so many people come up to me after shows saying, ‘I was having a bad day, but your music lifted me up.’ That’s why I do this.”
Her personal story adds another layer to her music. Glenn moved to the Twin Cities at age 24, bringing two children and few belongings. “I came here with the clothes on my back and two babies,” she recalled. “And I think I’m doing pretty good.”
Now with grown children and a life built around music, Glenn reflects on the freedom that artistry has brought her. “I had to learn to balance motherhood and performing,” she said. “But I think my kids benefited from seeing me follow something I love.”
“Summer Nights in Rice” is a concert series presented by the Rice Park Association in partnership with the Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project. The July 31 concert was supported by the Saint Paul Cultural STAR Program and several local businesses and cultural organizations.
Organizers describe the series as a family-friendly way to enjoy live music and community connection in a scenic downtown setting. For Glenn, the setting is especially meaningful. “Downtown Saint Paul has its own vibe, it’s peaceful, it’s soulful,” she said. “And there’s history in this park.”
The Landmark Center and Rice Park, with their ornate architecture and central location, have long served as a gathering point for events, festivals, and cultural celebrations. “Summer Nights in Rice” helps carry that legacy forward by celebrating local artists who reflect the city’s evolving cultural landscape.
“It’s events like these that bring people together,” one audience member said while relaxing under a tree. “Kendra’s voice just fills the whole park, it’s powerful, but warm. You can tell she’s singing from the heart.”
As the final notes rang out and the crowd cheered, the spirit of summer, soul, and shared joy lingered in the air. More than a concert, it was a celebration of resilience, creativity and community.
For more information on upcoming concerts in the “Summer Nights in Rice” series, visit www.landmarkcenter.org.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.