Identity: Freedom — Dave Burrell, Andrew Cyrille, William Parker, and others

New York-based FreeJazz organization Arts for Art collaborates with The Kitchen to present FreeJazz ensembles in a multidisciplinary program of improvisation over the course of three evenings, March 7–9, 2019, at The Kitchen. From Jazz, dance, and poetry to political discourse, these concerts consist of musical and discursive interjections among participants, which segue into conversations that are inclusive of audiences. The events aim to foster and celebrate new interrelationships among participants and audiences as they revolve around our conceptions of social justice. Titled IDENTITY: FREEDOM, the project declares liberation in both self-possession and movement.

The Lead Artists are all New York-based and well-established players in the vanguard of FreeJazz music: pianist and composer Dave Burrell (born 1940); drummer, percussionist, and composer Andrew Cyrille (born 1939); and bassist, improviser, composer, writer, and educator William Parker (born 1952). Read biographies and sample works in their profiles.

IDENTITY: FREEDOM is organized by Tim Griffin (The Kitchen Executive Director and Chief Curator), Todd Nicholson (Arts for Art Executive Director and Board member), Patricia Nicholson Parker (Arts for Art Founder and Board member), and Fred Moten (poet and Arts for Art Board member).

Program Schedule  Tickets: $25 General / $20 Members

Thursday, March 7, 8pm

William Parker’s Trail of Tears Continuum (1492-2019)

Bassist and composer William Parker premieres a new multimedia work tracing the de-evolution of humanity in America. The 90-minute suite is broken into four sections—“Plantations,” “Reservations,” “Housing Projects,” and Prisons”—and built around new music, libretto, and narrative composed by Parker. Performers include: singers Anne Marie Sandy and Raina Sokolov Gonzalez, musicians Hamid Drake (drums), Cooper-Moore (piano), and James Brandon Lewis (tenor sax), and features original poetry by Fred Moten and Tracie Morris. The piece is also accompanied by a film by Parker and Michael Lucio-Sternbach.

Friday, March 8, 8pm

Dave Burrell’s Harlem Renaissance

Pianist and composer Dave Burrell premieres the latest iteration of his continuing exploration of the Harlem Renaissance, presented in tribute to the Civil Rights activist and entertainer Josephine Baker. The piece centers on the interaction between piano and two dancers (to be announced), augmented by a brass line featuring Ted Daniel, (trumpet), Steve Swell (trombone), and Dick Griffin,(trombone) and rhythm section of William Parker (bass) and Hamid Drake (drums). Piano and dance take turns leading and following the ensemble, blurring lines between composition and free improvisation.

Saturday, March 9, 8pm

Andrew Cyrille’s Haitian Fascination

Drummer and composer Andrew Cyrille presents new work paying homage to his Haitian ancestry. Joining Cyrille are collaborators old and new, including Angelica Sanchez (piano), Lisle Atkinson (bass), Val Jeanty,(percussion, electronics), and Jorge Sylvester (saxophone). Expect a poet and additional musicians to augment the ensemble.

IDENTITY: FREEDOM creates a first-time opportunity for two pioneering Downtown organizations to join forces in a shared mission of fostering a diverse community of artists and audiences. Presenting innovative new improvisational and interdisciplinary work, the program also crosses generations while strengthening living, grassroots dialogues between the arts and larger culture.