A Space for Black American Music: A Series of Jazz Talks by Darrell Grant

14 Northeast Killingsworth Street,Portland OR 97217

27 December, 2021

Description

The Albina Arts Salon is a celebration of the Black community in Portland, taking place at the site of the former Albina Arts Center. In October 2021, the Darrell Grant Quartet gathered to uplift the Black American experience and kick off a multi-month residency of the Soul Restoration Project at the Albina Arts Salon, a space that has long been tied to the Black community in Portland. The invitation-only performances by the Darrell Grant Quartet with Marcus Shelby on bass, vocals by Tiffany Austin, and drums and percussion by Darian Anthony Patrick, will be featured in this discussion series by pianist, composer, and educator Darrell Grant. These events will include a live jazz talk by Grant in addition to curated video and audio samples that exemplify the significance of Black American music. Audiences are able to join digitally, and there will be a limited capacity in-person audience at the Albina Arts Salon. The discussions include: Monday, December 27, 2021 | HISTORY | 4:30-5:30 pm. Exploring the deep history of artistic expression in the Black community, this discussion highlights contributions from guest culture bearers including rapper Mic Crenshaw.Tuesday, December 28, 2021 | TRADITIONS | 4:30-5:30 pm. This event centers Black vernacular music including spirituals, ring shouts, field hollers, blues, freedom songs, and gospel songs. Footage includes clips from the Darrell Grant Quartet performance with special guest dancers from Viva La Free. Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | VISION | 4:30-5:30 pm. Focusing on the creators defining the future of Black American music, this discussion explores original compositions and chamber music adaptations of music by Black composers with guest artist Machado Mijiga on electronics. The Soul Restoration Project is a series of residencies curated by jazz pianist/composer and PSU Professor Darrell Grant, that serve as a laboratory to explore how art can activate and renew our civic space. The project invites artists to come together to weave their practices of music, movement, visual art, and spoken word into rituals of collective intention. The Soul Restoration Project has been made possible in part with support by Oregon Community Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council, City of Portland Community Healing Arts Initiative Grant, City of Portland Events Action Table Grant, Chamber Music America, Classic Pianos, and is operated in partnership and fiscal sponsorship with the Vanport Mosaic. This event is funded by Chamber Music America Digital Residency Program