2006: Improvisation and Social Activism in the United States

Saxophonist and scholar Jason Robinson will lead a discussion examining ways in which musicians have used improvisation to engage critical social questions.

A rich and dynamic history of African American musical activism is evidenced in organizations like Los Angeles’ Union of God’s Musicians and Artist’s Ascension, Chicago’s Association for the advancement of Creative Musicians, St. Louis’ Black Artists Group, and New York’s Jazz Composer’s Guild. This talk highlights the role that improvisation played in these influential organizations and demonstrates the impact of new forms of musical activism evidenced in contemporary improvised music communities. Special attention will be given to the San Francisco Bay Area. A participant question and answer period will proceed after the lecture portion of the presentation.

Artist (photo by Photographer)