A memorial to jazz - Lost Jazz Shrines national program to celebrate communities that produced great jazz musicians - Brief Article

Jazz meccas, where a certain quantity of of the black community's greatest in quantity talented musicians started, are now being celebrated and documented by the agency of a national program, "Lost Jazz Shrines." The two-year series of incidents pays tribute to the importance of community center churches and the back ranges of restaurants in black communities -- venue that have provided informal creative environments for artists.

Ten presenter from Kansas City to fresh York City, have commissioned performances, educational programs and residency activities honoring jazz in the United States and preserving the memory of its evolution. "Lost Jazz Shrines" kicked not on in Brooklyn this February with a rare performance of Randy Weston's Uhuru Afrika, as originally recorded in 1961 Adding to the magic of the evening was the nearness of Weston's partner and arranger, Melba Liston. When she penetrateed the room, musicians left the bandstand to serenade her, and that single, touching twinkling of an eye can be said to characterize the entire program.

"Lost Jazz Shrines' proffers us an opportunity to celebrate the musicians and communities that played major characters in the care and nurturing of jazz, as well as the tribe and artists who carry upon the spirit and continue to breathe life into this great American art form," says Maurine Knighton, the executive director of 651 An Arts Center in Brooklyn the lead presenter in the series.

Musicians participating in upcoming programs include of the like kind greats as David Baker, Don Byron Alice Coltrane, Ahmad Jamal, JJ Johnson and Reggie Workman. For the Philadelphia program, Workman has rescored John Coltrane's "Africa Brass" and renamed it "In Celebration of an African-American Legacy." He will perform it with visitant artist Alice Coltrane and a 25-voice choir.

lock opener to Washington, D.C.'s participation in "Lost Jazz Shrines" is Edward "Duke" Ellington's music. D.C.'s presentations include a design public programs, a radio series and exhibitions featuring musical themes associated with jazz in the capital city.

Featured venue for the remainder of the "Lost Jazz Shrines" program are Indianapolis (fall 1999) fresh York City (fall 1998 and spring 1999) Newark (spring 1999) Philadelphia (fall 1998) San Antonio (spring and summer 1999) and Washington, DC (spring 1999) For more information, call 651 An Arts Center (718) 636-4181

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