2021 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST

FERTILE GROUNDS with Nate Lewis & Kassa Overall

Fertile Grounds brings together visionary artists – jazz musicians and multidisciplinary artists – across disciplines to discuss their inspirations, and pursuits through their creative practice. While Jazz is at the heart of WJF’s work, the imagination, introspection and ingenuity of the artists we present is not only found in this genre, or even just in the work of musicians. Fertile Grounds is a celebration and an acknowledgement of the expansive spirit of creativity which feeds, moves and inspires us.
Hosted by Niama Safia Sandy

January 13, 7pm

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JAZZ & GENDER: AN END TO NORMS
In partnership with the School of Jazz at The New School’s College of Performing Arts
and The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice

Discussion with musicians and gender studies experts about gender fluidity, how it presents itself in the music and how looking beyond the norms in a variety of ways can help to serve Black American Music as an artform. With Participants Terri Lyne Carrington, Maureen Mahon and Samora Pinderhughes. Moderated by Fay Victor. Hosted by Sarah Elizabeth Charles.

January 14, 7pm

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MARCHING ON: CELEBRATING THE LIFE & LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
In association with SummerStage and Voices of a People’s History of the United States

Marching On celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and commitment to equity, freedom & peace for Black Americans and all people of this country and the world.  With that clarion call as resonant today as it ever was, artists across disciplines will breathe their own passion and the power of our present time into Dr. King’s vision. Featured performers include alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin; poet & organizer Mahogany Browne; vocalist and educator C. Anthony Bryant; actress & poet Linda Labeija; actor Ty Jones; R&B/soul singer Deva Mahal; R&B singer-songwriter Tank; and harpist Brandee Younger. The performance will be narrated by curator and multidisciplinary artist Niama Safia Sandy and will premiere on Friday, January 15th at 7:00pm ET on SummerStageAnywhere.org.

January 15, 7pm

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FERTILE GROUNDS

Featuring Cecily Bumbray, Tsedaye Makonnen

Fertile Grounds brings together visionary artists – jazz musicians and multidisciplinary artists – across disciplines to discuss their inspirations, and pursuits through their creative practice. While Jazz is at the heart of WJF’s work, the imagination, introspection and ingenuity of the artists we present is not only found in this genre, or even just in the work of musicians. Fertile Grounds is a celebration and an acknowledgement of the expansive spirit of creativity which feeds, moves and inspires us.
Hosted by Niama Safia Sandy

February 10, 7pm

JAZZ, GENDER AND BLACK FEMINISM: WHAT WE CAN LEARN

In partnership with the School of Jazz at The New School’s College of Performing Arts
and The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice

Discussion with musicians, scholars and activists about the ways in which black feminist thought can help us make the cultural shifts necessary for more equity, acceptance and inclusion to exist in the artform.

Participants TBA
Hosted by Sarah Elizabeth Charles

February 11, 7pm

FERTILE GROUNDS

Featuring Matana Roberts, guest TBA

Fertile Grounds brings together visionary artists – jazz musicians and multidisciplinary artists – across disciplines to discuss their inspirations, and pursuits through their creative practice. While Jazz is at the heart of WJF’s work, the imagination, introspection and ingenuity of the artists we present is not only found in this genre, or even just in the work of musicians. Fertile Grounds is a celebration and an acknowledgement of the expansive spirit of creativity which feeds, moves and inspires us.
Moderated by Niama Safia Sandy

March 10, 7pm

REFLECTION ON GENDER BIAS

In partnership with the School of Jazz at The New School’s College of Performing Arts
and The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice

Discussion with musicians and mental health professionals about how we can use personal growth tools to acknowledge and work through inherent internal bias as it relates to gender.

Participants TBA
Hosted by Sarah Elizabeth Charles

March 11, 7pm