Kick-off Panel and Performance: Sunday, March 10, 4-7 PM
Class 1: Monday, March 11 6-8 PM
Class 2: Monday, March 18 6-8 PM
Class 3: Monday, March 25 6-8 PM

Join musician and scholar Ras Moshe Burnett for a performance and discussion, followed by a three session course examining the historical parallels between Jazz and socio-political engagement. There will be a particular emphasis on the independent record labels, social formations, and lofts that presented music in Brooklyn and New York City. This study naturally leads into an examination of the economics involved in community-organized, collective-led musical presentations.

On Sunday, March 10, the panel and performance will include Basir Mchawi (WBAI, The East Cultural Center, Black News), J.D. Parran (Black Artists Group of St. Louis), Ahmed Abdullah (Sista’s Place, The East Cultural Center, Studio We, NY Musicians Organization), Juma Sultan (Studio We, NY Musicians Organization), and Greg Tate (Educator, Village Voice writer, founding member of Black Rock Coalition, Guitarist/Composer, leader of Burnt Sugar Orchestra)

Monday, March 11 6-8 PM
Class subject: Jazz and Self Determination/ New Music in the Lofts
“Friends and Neighbors: Ornette Colman’s NY Artist House” presented by Prof. Matt Lavelle

March 18 6-8 PM
Class subject: Jazz and the Black Arts Movement
“The Economics of Loft Jazz and the Right to the City” presented by Prof. Kazembe Balagun

March 25 6-8 PM
Class subject: Jazz and the Black Arts Movement
“The John Coltrane Black Arts Connection” presented by Prof. Hank Williams.