Boulder’s music scene is coming together like never before to support one of its own.

At 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder, will host a special benefit concert for Audree Dillard — a force of nature in Colorado’s music community. Known across the Front Range as a powerhouse drummer who often steals the spotlight while seated behind her drum kit, she’s also a dedicated mentor, rapper and all-around musical badass.

For nearly 30 years, Dillard has been lighting up stages and dance floors with her luminous spirit and unmatched talent to keep a steady rhythm when the going gets tough.

In September, Dillard faced the unthinkable: She suffered a stroke at home that left the entire left side of her body paralyzed. This would be a life-altering challenge for anyone, but it’s especially profound for Audree — whose livelihood depends on her ability to drum, using her whole body.

Dillard’s closest friends and fellow musical collaborators are rallying to keep the beat alive while she begins the long journey of recovery. This benefit concert will celebrate Audree’s legacy as a musician, friend and performer — and it’ll give guests a chance to get groovy while supporting a good cause.

The concert was organized by a longtime friend of Audree’s, Boulder musician Silent Bear. He recalled how the duo’s musical bond sparked nearly two decades ago.

“When I moved back to Boulder in 2004, the first live event I attended was a blues jam hosted by my friends Lionel Young and Mark Diamond,” Silent Bear said. Both Young and Diamond will perform at Tuesday’s benefit concert. “Each week, they’d bring in different guest musicians to complete the house band, and when they invited me, Audree was the guest drummer. I was the guitarist. We immediately connected, admiring each other’s playing, and that night sparked a friendship and musical camaraderie that’s lasted nearly two decades. Since then, she’s played drums and sung in my trio, and we’ve worked on several recording projects together. Audree’s not just a brilliant musician, she has this incredible strength and presence.”When Silent Bear learned of Dillard’s stroke, the news hit him hard.

“My chest just dropped,” he said. “I reached out to her as soon as I could and eventually visited her at the rehab center. Seeing her there, knowing her left arm and leg were unresponsive and understanding the journey she has ahead, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful to help.”

For Silent Bear, this concert is about more than just putting on a good show.

“It’s, first and foremost, to lift her spirits and let her feel the love and support of her musical community,” Silent Bear said. “We want her to know she has people behind her, rooting for her recovery.”

He also hopes to raise funds to help Dillard manage her expenses during this challenging time. There is also a GoFundMe campaign for Dillard, one that’s just $900 shy of its $10,000 goal as of Wednesday.

“The show is about bringing people together, not just for Audree, but as a reminder that life can change in an instant,” Silent Bear said. “She deserves this support — not just because of her talent, which is exceptional, but because of the love and dedication she’s poured into her music and our community.”

Silent Bear’s vision for the night is to surround Dillard with the same love and joy she’s brought to others, reminding her that she’s not alone on her journey to recovery.

Tuesday’s concert will feature performances by an eclectic mix of artists, many of whom are legends in the Front Range music scene. Slated to perform are the Peaceful Rest Baptist Church Choir, Soul School, Rex Peoples and X-Factr, Wendy Woo, Lionel Young, Johnny O, Silent Bear, Peaches Embry, Hazel Miller, Erica Brown, Hillary Freeman (of Audree’s all-female band, Glass Ceiling), John Magnie of The Subdudes, Mark Diamond, and many more still to be announced.

“When I began organizing the lineup, I wanted to bring together artists who share a personal connection with Audree — musicians who have performed with her, know her well, and admire her talent,” Silent Bear said. “I also aimed to feature well-known local acts that would draw a strong crowd to support this benefit.”

The show’s opener will set an uplifting tone, with a performance from the Aurora-based Peaceful Rest Baptist Church Choir — Dillard’s own church choir — to kick off the evening.

“The first thought that came to mind was Audree’s church community,” Silent Bear said. “She’s very active in her church choir at Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, where she sings every Sunday, so it felt natural to invite her choir to open the show. They’ll bring a powerful start to the evening with their inspiring energy.”

Following the choir will be an impressive lineup rolling out a mix of blues, R&B, gospel, soul and funk from artists who’ve been pillars of Colorado’s music scene.

Among the highlights is a female “supergroup” set featuring Colorado soul powerhouses Peaches Embry, Erica Brown and Hazel Miller, who will bring some much-needed feminine energy to the night. Hilary Freeman, who played bass in Glass Ceiling — Audree’s former all-female band — will also join the lineup, giving attendees a taste of the synergy that defined Audree’s sound.

“This set captures that uplifting, female-driven power that Audree’s music has always embodied,” Silent Bear said.

Silent Bear said he and Roots Music Project staff debated on what to title the concert. While the event is officially billed as an “All-Star Benefit Concert,” Silent Bear’s vision was to call it “Audree Dillard: For the Love of Music— A Healing Benefit Concert,” which he believes speaks to the spirit of the evening.

This spirit of generosity and community is at the heart of the event, and that energy will be felt right to the concert’s grand finale, where all the musicians will take the stage together.

“I want everyone to leave on a high note, feeling that healing energy,” Silent Bear said. “Even one of the drummers mentioned he was nervous about playing with so many talented musicians, and I told him, ‘Each beat you play is a way to send healing energy to Audree.’ That’s what this night is really about.”

Beyond the music, the evening will offer a sense of camaraderie, a chance to honor Audree’s immense contributions to the local scene and an opportunity for the community to stand behind her as she faces a long recovery. With support from Roots Music Project, who donated the venue and staff, every ticket sold will make a difference, helping to cover medical expenses and supporting Dillard as she focuses on healing.

To purchase tickets to the Audree Dillard all-star benefit concert, visit bit.ly/4egT36P. To donate to Dillard’s GoFundMe, visit bit.ly/4fyvJmb.