Before Memphis had its first Starbucks…
Before downtown had a recognized arts scene…
Before the Green Room at Crosstown Concourse became a go-to for live music…
There was Precious Cargo.
If you were “grown” in Memphis between 1996 and 2008, you knew exactly where to go when the week called for a good vibe, thoughtful conversation and a soothing cup of something mellow. You headed to the Pinch District’s Precious Cargo, a coffeehouse infused with live jazz and soulful energy.
For regulars, it was more than a coffee lounge. It was Memphis in a mug, a place where you could run into an old friend or meet someone who felt like one by night’s end.
Though its doors closed 17 years ago, and the building was recently demolished, the spirit of Precious Cargo is alive again, this time at the Center for Southern Folklore. At the core of it all is powerhouse vocalist Cequita Monique, Precious Cargo’s former owner, who regularly performs on stage, often backed by the Culture House Band.
“Back when I opened Precious Cargo, I wanted a place where I could perform without waiting to be booked,” Monique said. “But I was so busy cooking, I didn’t have time to sing. People came for the music, but they wanted to eat, too. Now, I get to do what I love — sing.”
A new legacy
First Sunday Jazz Jam Pop-Up is where Monique not only takes the mic but also brings other talent into the spotlight. The pop-up is a monthly series featuring live jazz, food, drinks and a celebration of Memphis culture. But Monique is clear: This isn’t a revival of Precious Cargo but something entirely new. It’s a concept shaped by her international experience, rooted in Memphis’ musical traditions and built to uplift local and regional artists.
“It’s an energy, a vibe, something we’re creating in response to what Memphis needs right now,” she said. “Memphis has talent that’s second to none around the world. It always has. We need to recognize and support Memphis talent, appreciate our rich cultural history, live it, and invite others into it like other cities do.”
She sees the series as a direct response to the city’s struggle to fully appreciate its creative excellence. For the artists featured, it’s an opportunity to shine without needing to leave home.
“There’s a history of Memphis musicians performing around the world but struggling to get booked here at home,” Monique said. “We need to change that narrative and embrace our own talent.”
Monique’s production company, Precious Cargo Exchange, produces the First Sunday Jazz Jam and other cultural events. She says the goal is to channel a vibe reminiscent of “cabaret meets speakeasy,” evoking the energy of a classic smoky Blue Light Lounge, minus the actual smoke.
The experience goes beyond music. Inside the Center for Southern Folklore, guests encounter what Monique calls a “living art experience” that blends performance, local art, cultural memorabilia and curated vendors.
For Monique, it’s also a platform to educate. She believes the city overlooks many of its musical pioneers — artists like Alberta Hunter, a Memphis native born in 1895 who wrote Bessie Smith’s breakout hit Downhearted Blues, and W.C. Handy, whose legacy helped define the sound of the South.
“The stories of great artists like Alberta Hunter get left out of the conversation when we talk about Memphis,” Monique said. “We need to stop selling the crime when we talk about Memphis. We need to do a better job of selling the history and the art culture unique to this city. New Orleans does it. Atlanta does it. We’ve got to educate people about what’s here and be proud to offer it.”
Breaking barriers
Monique hopes the jazz jam becomes a monthly ritual for Memphians. Tourists are welcome, she says, but like Precious Cargo once did, she wants First Sundays to feel like home — familiar, welcoming and inclusive.
“Jazz is sophisticated, but it’s also home for Memphis,” she said. “That’s why I hope we can overcome the social cliques. The cliques stifle the expansion of art in the city. When it comes to jazz, everybody belongs. I just want people to come, enjoy good music and feel at home.”
Sustaining this kind of entertainment, she adds, depends on changing one particular Memphis habit. “We’ve got to break the habit of being a last-minute ticket-buying city,” Monique said. “Getting tickets in advance shows love to the artists. It helps us plan, and it keeps this kind of entertainment alive. Artists should be preparing to perform, not worrying if there’s going to be an audience.”
For those who remember Precious Cargo, Monique says First Sunday Jazz Pop-Up is its next evolution. For newcomers, it’s a fresh cultural touchstone in a city that birthed some of the world’s greatest music.
First Sunday Jazz Jam Pop-Up
Every First Sunday
Center for Southern Folklore | 119 S. Main St.
Time: 2–5 p.m.
Tickets: $25 in advance | $30 at the door
CashApp: $PCEProductions
Eventbrite: 1st Sunday Jazz Jam Pop-Up Series 2025
