The 75 Club

by gloria

It is quite an undertaking to establish a new venue for Jazz in an unfamiliar neighborhood. That’s exactly what is happening in TriBeCa at 75 Murray Street. George Aprile, the owner of the Bogardus Mansion, has long been a Jazz enthusiast, and has supported the music in various ways for years. It was he who assisted Patti Bown (1931-2008) near the end of her life, and who provided special taped Clifford Jordan music to Sandy Jordan. He has hosted events in his space, from private gatherings to the JFA Miles Davis stamp event, a memorial celebration for the life of our “Queen of the Hudson,” Dorismarie Welcher, to special performances by the Wilbur Ware Institute, most notably in 2017-2018.

This lower level space has become a true Jazz Club. What began as  Wilbur’s Warehouse @ the Bogardus Mansion has become The  75 Club http://www.the75clubnyc.com with regular ongoing musical events.  It has become a go-to place in TriBeCa and all fans of the music are appreciative of George Aprile’s persistence.

First and most important, the venue has been open and advertised throughout the neighborhood and beyond. One clear message in the U.S.A. is that advertisements are vital. American society is inundated with and built on ads–regular and now digital; most are repetitive ad nauseum, constant and ubiquitous; they are part and parcel of Western capitalism in America and abroad. In the case of The 75 Club, special thanks  goes to Laurence Donohue-Greene of The New York City Jazz Record and Gwen Kelley at Hot House Jazz Guide, among others, for helping to get the word out.

Many musicians offer their services, and many master musicians have performed there in support of the space! On Sunday, July 1, Barry Harris filled the Club to overflowing in honor of Richard Wyands’ 90th Birthday (July 2). And Barry’s birthday event in December was SRO.

The Wilbur Ware Institute presented Reggie Workman’s Quintet in 2017 & 2018; both were very successful performances. We proudly celebrate Reggie as a recently recognized NEA Jazz Master.

We are now presenting OUR SALUTE TO THE MUSIC OF SONNY ROLLINS: Friday and Saturday, September 6 & 7, 2019.

PLEASE JOIN US AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS & ACQUAINTANCES.

We also invite your support whenever you shop on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-2156139

Thanks so much!

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Hampton & Hayes

by gloria

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

We were delighted to celebrate SLIDE AT 85 at George Aprile’s Bogardus Mansion on April 1. Last month, we posted on our FB page and Twitter to thank everybody who made it successful. Even though we could not notify everyone well in advance, especially those who continuously honor and celebrate Slide Hampton, he assembled a wonderful group of musicians enjoyed by all: Kamau Adilifu, Kenny Barron, George Coleman, Victor Lewis, Rufus Reid, Steve Turre (Steve Davis had to leave early and Peter Lin took his place). Many appreciative fans and other musicians were also in the audience, Jimmy Owens and Kiane Zawadi, among others. This would not have been possible without  Douglas Purviance, Janice Robinson, Neti Brant, and many friends for their inspiration and assistance. As usual, Carole and Jill Williams, Clifton and Kim, other volunteers, and our diligent officers as well as Board Members assisted; in addition, Adrienne Harrison arrived from Chicago, and her help proved invaluable. Tony Hewitt and others worked with George Aprile to ensure venue success. We now have raw video (and one edited set) from Craig Marsden and photos from Richard Conde that we will add to the website. Please visit our YouTube channel also. Our presentation to Slide, a brass, engraved music stand, is one of only five in our history: The first in the 1980s was presented by Melba Liston to Budd Johnson, our second to Board Member, the late Bob Cranshaw, and the third to Jimmy Heath in honor of his 90th Birthday, then Slide Hampton, and finally Louis Hayes (see below).


Photo by Richard Conde: George Coleman, Neti Brant, and Slide Hampton

Louis Hayes celebrated his 80th Birthday at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola on May 29-31, releasing his new CD celebrating Horace Silver. The details of the event are published in the May 2017 issue (181) of The New York City Jazz Record.

Jimmy Owens was at Dizzy’s to present our gift to Louis, and many Board members were also present to participate and sign our card for the occasion, including Pat Vingo, Sandy Jordan, George Aprile, Dezron Douglas (co-producer of the CD) and Brandee Younger. Berta Alloway also signed the card. Thanks to Paula  (Williams) Morris for this photo. She is pointing to Jimmy Owens giving Louis his gift.

After we spoke with Louis, his wife Nisha Hayes sent a wonderful email that we deeply appreciate.

For information on Louis, please visit:
www.louishayes.net

Gray Matters (Retired Executives) met with us again last month. Two of its members, Barbara Trelstad and Arnold Adlin, arrived, along with Sandy Jordan, Gloria Ware, and Pat Vingo.  They are willing to assist as we seek funding, especially major corporate and private funders. Arnold became familiar with our organization, and Barbara also suggested spaces for small events.  Sandy continues to work on ideas for our LOGO. Let us know what you think; and if you have additional ideas, please submit them for her consideration. Some of her ideas are:

SANDY’S WORK ON LOGO

MORE ABOUT GRAY MATTERS: Ed Sermier agreed to assist us with QuickBooks for our finances. We appreciate Ed, and we will need office help as we move forward. We are also in need of student volunteers as well as additional Board Members who can provide information, contacts, and finances. Gray Matters previously suggested that each Board member recommend ten others who are willing to donate for our mission. We are not naïve, however, and realize what an incredible challenge we face. We thank those of you who routinely donate and encourage our efforts; your names remain here on the website. If you have not already done so, please send a generous donation to the organization. You may donate here via PayPal by using the DONATE button, or simply mail a check.

  • We are grateful to George Aprile for Bogardus Mansion for SLIDE AT 85. We are planning another LATIN/JAZZ event there in early September featuring big George Coleman as we continue celebrating the Centennials of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie in October.  The larger music community has been celebrating Ella Fitzgerald/Gillespie/Monk Centennials all year! Even though we were unable to join Vernard Gray’s efforts in the Baltimore/DC area,  we appreciate his presentation to our Board.
  • As you now know, Bogardus Mansion is very near BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College), and is readily accessible to public transportation at 75 Murray Street. Please call or email with your ideas as soon as possible.

 

Copyright © 2017 Wilbur Ware Institute, Inc., All rights reserved.

Gloria with Kenny Barron

Slide Hampton with Peter Lin

Slide Hampton and Steve Davis enjoying a moment at rehearsal.

Our final flier announcement for SLIDE at 85! Thanks Sandy for your usual excellent work!

 

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Melba Liston: Loved & Celebrated. . .Accomplished!

by gloria

Preparing our 2016 – 2017 events remains an ongoing adventure. I am working with such talented and distinguished people whose extraordinary accomplishments should be acknowledged and appreciated by all. Our 2014-2015 collaborations proved to be extraordinarily wonderful.

First of all, we collaborated with Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program. Justin DiCioccio and Stephanie Crease were extremely accomplished and very helpful in producing the concert. It would not have been so successful without the assistance of Debra Kinzler. When the idea was initially presented, Deb put us in touch with Justin who eagerly accepted the challenge. Of course we had to gain approval from Randy Weston and obtain Melba’s music from the Black Music Research Center’s Archives in Chicago at Columbia College; Geoffrey Bradfield assisted without hesitation.

Wilmer Jennings Gallery where the visual Exhibition was shown for six weeks (from September 28 to November 8, 2014) is an historic venue whose growth out of Kenkeleba House is renowned. Corrine Jennings and Joe Overstreet are fixtures in this Lower East Side community. Established in 1974 as an Alternative Space dedicated to supporting African American art, Kenkeleba is also a pioneer in developing multi-cultural programming. They present the work of emerging, mid-career, and established artists, while providing needed opportunities for many artists who may not enjoy commercial representation. Kenkeleba also supports experimental work and interdisciplinary programs that feature visual arts as well as literature and music. The name Kenkeleba comes from a plant indigenous to West Africa, the Caribbean and South Africa that is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Corrine Jennings is quoted as saying, “It can grow in a dry area and is spiritual, and the name sounded musical to me.”

Kenkeleba House presents contemporary and historical visual art in solo or group exhibits. Corrine and Joe have circulated local, regional, national and international exhibitions and provided events for churches, libraries, community centers and galleries. They have extensive archives and provide research material for publications and other institutions. In its history, more than 6000 artists have been exhibited. They have produced 23 art catalogues, and sponsored public programs, as well as artist talks, seminars, lectures, and educational programs for all ages.

When one even glimpses the extensive background and artistic accomplishments of Joe Overstreet, one is awed by his solo exhibitions, commissions, group exhibitions, and collections. His wife Corrine Jennings also has a rich background and accomplishments too numerous to even mention here. It’s well worth one’s time to do a bit of research on both of them and marvel at Joe and Corrine’s extensive knowledge not only of art but of the history of their LES neighborhood and its African roots from slavery to the African Free School #6 on Columbia Street to the first community of black freedmen living on the Bowery. Moreover, the gallery is named for her father, and some of her mother’s art has been exhibited there as well. Both Jennings and Overstreet have a rich and varied history of associations and friendships with world-class musicians and writers as well as fine artists.

The curator for this exhibition VISIONS, ROOTS & RHYTHMS, Ed Sherman, is a Harlemite. He has been working with the Thelonious Monk Family & Friends International Communications Association and curated a Monk exhibition at Wilmer Jennings Gallery last year. Ed also presented “Reflections of Monk: Inspired Images of Music and Moods II” at the Dwyer Cultural Center from October 23, 2014 to January 4, 2015.  It was an art exhibition featuring the artwork of over twenty renowned artists in celebration of modern jazz pioneer Thelonious Monk (and celebrating Monk’s 97 birthday). Many of the artists also participated in our Kenkeleba event.

When one visits Ed Sherman’s page at http://ncanewyork.com/profile/ed, it is clear that he is best known as a photographer. Most recently, his photographs were shown at Macy’s Herald Square, Furniture Gallery on 9, 151 West 34th Street, NYC, from September 28 to October 5, 2014, when Macy’s unveiled a new Furniture Gallery.  Among highlights of Ed Sherman’s photographic career is working for the Police Department of NYC. He was Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly’s photographer; moreover, his photographs have been widely exhibited in The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, Howard University, and The Cathedral Church of St. John The Divine in NYC, among other places. He was the national and New York president of the National Conference of Artists and is currently a board member of NCANY. The National Conference of Artists is the oldest continuously operating African American visual arts organization in the USA.

It was exciting to have Corrine Jennings include us in their calendar. As we sought assistance, she asked if we knew Ed Sherman. Artist Willie Torbert also knew of Ed and indicated he lived in Harlem. Finding Ed proved to be quite interesting, and it turned out that he lived quite near.  Online tools are always helpful, and our search meant finding NCANY. I had already written NCA in Chicago without response. When we found an address and telephone number, Ed answered and we agreed to meet. Ed and our friend Maketa Dorothy White and I met each other. She had not known Ed, and was unable to curate; however, Dorothy was able to offer procedural suggestions as well as contacts for many artists that remain valuable. Her long career as curator and art expert is well known; she is also the widow of fine artist William White. Perhaps a future exhibition will be forthcoming for many other extremely accomplished fine artists must continue to be shown, especially benefiting young emerging professionals. In the meantime, we were thrilled to have all who have agreed to exhibit and celebrate MELBA LISTON & RANDY WESTON and their 40 year musical collaboration from September 28 to November 8, 2014. Randy gleefully exclaimed that is should be a permanent, traveling exhibition!

This celebration continued. . . . The Opening Reception on Sunday, September 28 was extremely successful. It brought together artists and musicians. Our special guest, of course, was Randy Weston and his lovely wife Fatoumata. Our guest musicians were the iconic master drummer Louis Hayes with Juini Booth on bass and Rodney Kendrick on piano. Juini is often featured at Wilmer Jennings Gallery openings because he is well known by Corrine and Joe who value his unobtrusive approach. Rodney Kendrick whose wife Rhonda is Diana Ross’ daughter, is always recommended by Randy! This Reception, however, was filled with many special musical guests, including TK Blue on saxophone, pianist Ed Stout and vocalists Melba Joyce and Dennis Jeter, a wonderful trumpeter, and others who did not play. Artists not in our Exhibition supported us as well as writers and other friends. Randy and Fatou stayed quite a while and many people were able to greet them and take photos with them. Others wanted photos with Joe Overstreet and Corrine Jennings, Sandy Jordan, and so many others.

There was a Pre-Concert Symposium at Manhattan School of Music on Friday, October 17, 2014, at 6:30 pm moderated by Stephanie Crease of the MSM Jazz Arts program. Participants were Geof Bradfield, Melba Joyce, Sallie Placksin, and Janice Robinson. It was exciting to see the slide presentation of Melba Liston photos produced by Sandy Jordan and hear Melba’s voice in Sally’s presentation using some of the Smithsonian audio. Please visit YouTube to experience this event. Unfortunately, Sally had problems with her laptop, but thankfully you can access Melba’s Smithsonian Interview online and see her perform on YouTube. In the “Styles of Jazz” Documentary (Marian McPartland) featuring Vi Redd; the second group is Melba Liston’s.

The main musical Performance MELBA LISTON REMEMBERED! was an extraordinary event. Our Special Guest Fostina Dixon joined a MSM small group of musicians to perform three of Melba Liston’s original compositions: Insomnia, All Deliberate Speed, and Elvin Elpus. She was joined by students Elena Pinderhughes, Flute; Patrick Bartley, Alto Saxophone, Adam O’Farrill, Trumpet; St. Clair Simmons, Trombone; Nicolas Hetco, Piano; Benn Ruben-Schnirman, Bass; Ben Zweig, Drums.

After Intermission, we were treated to Compositions by Randy Weston, Arranged by Melba Liston. Featured were Randy on Piano with T.K. Blue (Music Director) on Saxophone and Flute, Santi Debriano on Bass, and Neil Clarke on Percussion. They performed Blues to Africa, The Healers, and African Sunrise with Justin DiCioccio conducting the student MSM Jazz Orchestra: Saxophones – Patrick Bartley, Alto; Sam Torres, Alto; Brandon Wright, Tenor/Soprano; Cameron Vohr, Tenor; Mercedes Beckman, Baritone. Trumpets- Gerhard Ornig, Tyler Tritt, John Otten, Max Boiko, Adam O’Farrill, Soloist, African Sunrise. Trombones- Johnathan Black, St. Clair Simmons, Peter Wilke. Tuba- Ryan Fisk. Rhythm Section- Bernabe Williams, Guitar, Ben Ruben-Schnirman, Bass 2, The Healers, Ben Zweig, Drums. (We knew the famous Yankee baseball player Bernie Williams played guitar, but we were still surprised and delighted to have him join our event!)

The Artists’ Symposium on Sunday, October 19, 2014, from 3 to 6 pm also brought together artists and musicians tremendously familiar with JAZZ & FINE ART: AN HISTORICAL PAIRING. Music. . .artists. . .writers: basic in our culture. . .inseparable! It was exciting to have Danny Dawson, from Newark he tells me, artist and educator. Newark is famous for jazz musicians and, of course, Amiri Baraka. Maxine Gordon joined our panel. Most recently, she published an article in the Black Music Research Journal (Vol. 34, No. 1) Spring, 2014 issue that is exclusively about MELBA LISTON. They also printed Melba Lives! stickers; we have both to share. Maxine’s article, “Dexter Gordon and Melba Liston: The ‘Mischievous Lady’ Session” discusses not only that tune, but the special friendship of Dexter and Melba who were also school mates. Dick Griffin is not only fine artist but exceptional trombonist. He knows Melba’s music! Artist Charlotte Ka is working on building a Performing Arts Center in Pittsburgh with her husband Errol “Mobutu” Reynolds. It was she who showed me the art of Cuban artist Manuel Mendive with similarities to Bob Thompson’s famous painting “Tree.” NEA Jazz Master Slide Hampton®  joined us. Slide is on Melba’s only LP “Melba and Her Bones” and is one of those musicians who always earns the highest respect. Jazz Impresario Cobi Narita also joined us. Only the night before, she had looked in her archives and found wonderful memorabilia including photos to share. Our Moderator Janice Robinson was a trombonist in Melba Liston’s Big Band which performed for the Wilbur Ware Institute in August 1982 in Philadelphia. I was also so honored to participate.

As mentioned, Geof Bradfield was instrumental in assisting us in obtaining the Melba Liston music from the Archives at Columbia College in Chicago. He also has an article in the BMR Journal, “Digging Down in the CBMR Archives: New Music Inspired by Melba Liston’s Scores.” We were delighted that Geof was able to join us! TK Blue is Musical Director for Randy Weston. Not only did he work tirelessly on the music, but he allowed the students to shine.

We have completed the WORKSHOPS. We collaborated with Harlem School of the Arts and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance; as you may know,  Grammy Winner Arturo O’Farrill is Artist-In-Residence at Harlem School of the Arts where the Workshops were held.  The day-long Workshops were on Monday, June 29, 2015: YOUTH MUSIC WORKSHOPS Celebrating the Music of NEA Jazz Master MELBA LISTON. These were held at HSA Herb Alpert Center 645 St. Nicholas Avenue. Our Musical Director T. K. Blue, who knew and performed with Melba, was exceptional. He knows Melba’s music intimately. He also provided a DVD that we shared with the students of Melba performing with the Quincy Jones Orchestra. We also showed the slides that Sandy Jordan prepared for the first Symposium of young Melba in Los Angeles, Melba with her mother and others. T. K. had worked with the “Fat Cat” music students prior to the Workshops, so students other than the participants had been introduced to Melba’s music. So many other people were willing to assist and inform their students: Vince Ector, Arts for Kids; Matt Buttermann, Jazz at Lincoln Center; Robin Bell-Stevens, Jazzmobile; and especially Arturo O’Farrill, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. Vince came and his daughter Melody participated. Arturo’s sons Zack and Adam both assisted in performance, as well as Jim Seeley (who helped in off-site rehearsal). Our Clinicians Bertha Hope and Earl McIntyre were great! It was quite informative to see Arturo in the Master Class for he obviously has exceptional rapport with youngsters! Thanks again to Jaime Cobb, Sandy Jordan, Julian Weller, Pat Vingo and all others who made this possible.

Liston Youth w TK Blue 14edited Liston Youth VIEWING Liston DVD 12edited Earl McIntyre Clinicianedited Liston Youth 13 w Arturo O'Farrilledited Liston Youth Master Classedited Liston Youth Performance Audience Pat & Sandyedited Liston Youth Performance w parentsedited Liston Youth SUPPORT Jaime and Vince 6editedListon Youth Performance w Bertha Hope conductingedited

We hear Jazz Masters and so many others speak of famous musical instruction in public schools. We have witnessed art and music being removed from public school curricula over the past sixty years. We now hope to do whatever is necessary to expose under-served students to this music. Perhaps we can work with the Schomburg Center on Black Culture and create ways for youngsters in Harlem and beyond to gain exposure and learn the history of the music now known as “America’s Gift to the World’s Music.” Your ideas and suggestions are invited.

We also invite your generous DONATIONS. Please plan to share your yearly charitable giving with the Wilbur Ware Institute. Use the DONATE button for your fully tax-deductible contributions. Please use PayPal and remember that credit cards are accepted by default.

Guests at EXHIBITION

Please share any information you have with us and consider writing a guest BLOG. We welcome your suggestions and look forward to meeting and greeting you at  events.

Successful Collaboration!

by gloria
Tafa

Tafa

Louis and Randy at EXHIBITION                                                Charlotte Ka at EXHIBITION

 

Note: The Opening Reception on Sunday, September 28, 2014, from 3 – 6 pm featured Iconic Master Drummer Louis Hayes; Juini Booth, bass; Rodney Kendrick, piano. Many others joined for our musical enjoyment, including TK Blue, pianist Ed Stout, vocalist Melba Joyce and others.

 

The Artists’ Talk:  Sunday, October 19, 2014, from 3 to 6 pm.

Our Panelists: This was an exceptional event!

C. Daniel Dawson (Fine Artist), Maxine Gordon (Writer: Widow and Biographer of Dexter Gordon), Dick Griffin (Fine Artist/Musician), Charlotte Ka (Fine Artist), Slide Hampton® (NEA Jazz Master Musician), and Cobi Narita (Jazz Impresario). Vocalist Melba Joyce joined us; named after Melba Liston, she share anecdotes and background.

MODERATORS: Janice Robinson (Musician) and Gloria Ware.

Cobi with Charlotte and Dannyedited Janice with Dick and Slideedited Maxine Gordonedited Randy speaks (2)edited Melba Joyce joins paneledited

It is such a pleasure to collaborate with Kenkeleba House. It seems we have always been aware of the iconic couple:  fine artist Joe Overstreet and his wife Corrine Jennings. They are fine art and have long associations with the Black Arts Community and far beyond. Their knowledge of art, music, artistic and musical history is profound and their activism is legend.

 

Established in 1974 as an Alternative Space dedicated to supporting African American art, Kenkeleba is also a pioneer in developing multicultural programming. Kenkeleba House presents the work of emerging, mid-career, and mature artists. It also provides needed opportunities for those artists who may not have commercial representation. Kenkeleba supports experimental work and interdisciplinary programs that feature the visual arts along with literature and music.

 

Kenkeleba presents contemporary and historical visual art in solo or group exhibits. It has circulated local, regional, national, and international exhibitions and provided art events for churches, libraries, community centers, and galleries. Kenkeleba has developed extensive archives and provides research material for publications and other institutions. In its history, they have exhibited more than 6000 artists, produced 22 art catalogs, and many public programs, artist talks, seminars, lectures, and educational programs for children and adults.

As exquisite space, the Wilmer Jennings Gallery operates across the street from Kenkeleba House at 219 East Second Street, near Avenue B.

 

For this Exhibition, our Curator was Ed Sherman. Also a photographer and videographer, as well as an arts administrator, Ed has been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. Mr. Sherman was the national and New York President of the National Conference of Artists and is currently a board member of NCANY. The National Conference of Artists is the oldest continuously operating African American visual arts organization in the United States. Founded in 1959, the New York chapter was formed in 1973. The Exhibition “Visions, Roots & Rhythms” continued through November 8, 2014. We hope Ed Sherman will share more images from this extraordinary event in the new year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTUMN NEWS & 2015 PREVIEW- UPDATE

by gloria

Louis Hayes and Randy Weston

TafaTafa  Charlotte Ka at EXHIBITIONCharlotte Ka  Guests at EXHIBITION   Maxine Smith and Mo Reynolds at EXHIBITION

This Fine Arts Exhibition was the frist of our 2014 events. We encouraged you to DONATE and attend this wonderful exhibition. Thank you for sharing information with your contacts and friends. This first of our productions honoring Melba Liston and celebrating her 40-year musical collaboration with Randy Weston was exceptional, and we are extremely grateful to all who are made it possible. The Exhibition Opening was extremely well attended and a good time was had by all. The Exhibition Season is fully in progress. Support the artists!

Please join us for the Pre-Concert Discussion at 6:30 pm. Fostina at MSM jazzorchOct2014-0056 (2)editedRandy Adam TK JD Santi NC jazzorchOct2014-0126 (2)edited  Randy and JD jazzorchOct2014-0164 (2)edited

For the concert event at Manhattan School of Music, we were absolutely delighted to have Special Guest Fostina Dixon on saxophones. Professor Geoffrey Bradfield in Chicago was instrumental in assisting us with obtaining Melba’s music, and he joined us for the important discussion, along with Melba Joyce, Sally Plaxsin, Janice Robinson, and Moderator Stephanie Crease. We  remain grateful to the Black Music Research Center where much of Melba’s music is located, for the Archivists there were extremely helpful. Moreover, the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College Chicago has devoted its Spring 2014 Journal (Vol. 34, No. 1) to Melba Liston. We have a few copies left, so let us know if you would like one before we must return them to Chicago.

The Performance itself not only featured Fostina Dixon playing Melba’s music, but after intermission Randy Weston’s quartet performed with the students to the delight of all in attendance. With Randy were Musical Director TK  Blue, along with Neil Clarke on percussion and Santi Debriano on bass; they were joined for one tune by Bernie Williams on guitar. The students learned Melba’s arrangements of Randy’s music, and all enjoyed Justin DiCioccio as he conducted the student musicians.

The Artists’ Panel Discussion at Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba on Sunday, October 19, 2014, at 3 pm was very well attended, and our Panel gave us rare insight into visual and musical art:  C. Daniel Dawson, Maxine Gordon, Dick Griffin, Charlotte Ka, and Slide Hampton were our panelists with Special Guest Randy Weston.  The discussion was opened by Gloria and Janice Robinson was Moderator. Melba Joyce joined the panel, and we hope to have it here on this site soon.

Maxine Gordonedited  Janice with Dick and Slideedited  Cobi with Charlotte and Dannyedited  BMRC Journaledited RESIZED

We invite your donations for all events. We received a couple of small grants from LMCC, but most of the funds were donated. We always need your assistance as we move forward with 2015 plans. Harlem School of the Arts’ Artist In Residence, Arturo O’Farrill has agreed to join us in offering Workshops next year. We plan to continue our focus on Melba Liston by inviting K-12 and beyond music students to attend without cost. Please click on the DONATE button, and remember that you may use PayPal and by default credit cards. Year-end giving is strongly encouraged, so remember us on #GivingTuesday, and remember that all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!

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