“Jazz Speaks for Life” highlights freedom and equality through the music of Dave Brubeck and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
DETROIT, January 28, 2014 – In celebration of Black History Month and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act, the Detroit Jazz Festival Community Series is proud to present the Jason Moran and the Bandwagon, Alberto Mizrahi and other soloists performing Dave Brubeck’s “Gates of Justice” on Feb. 16, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at The Fillmore Detroit. A 60 voice choir, 15 piece brass and percussion orchestra and jazz trio, will join these well-known artists in playing Brubeck’s piece. The Bandwagon will also perform a set of civil rights and equality themed jazz pieces.
“The passing of the Civil Rights Act was a momentous day in history and as an organization, we are proud to join the community in celebration of its 50th anniversary,” said Gretchen Valade, Chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Board of Directors. “Developing a Black History Month event has been part of our mission and become an annual happening in Detroit. Once again, we feel privileged to be able to put together a program with world-class musicians and vocalists performing a world-class composition.”
The performance is part of the Festival’s Community Series, year-round initiatives designed to bring unique cultural events while proliferating the legacy of jazz and finding unique opportunities to educate children and young adults on the benefits of music.
Detroit Jazz Festival artistic director, Chris Collins, is the architect of the event program and continues to find ways to further the collective cultural experience of the region through unique programming.
“Creating events that deliver performances you literally cannot see anywhere else in the world has become a mainstay of festival weekend and our year-round programming, and this event is no different,” said Collins. “The messages within Brubeck’s ‘Gates of Justice’ really personify the undeniable connection between jazz and the history of civil rights and the struggle for equality for both the African-American and Jewish communities.”
Heralded jazz pianist Jason Moran – dubbed “the most provocative thinker in current jazz,” by Rolling Stone magazine – and the Bandwagon kicks off the night with a selection of jazz compositions celebrating freedom and equality in addition to performing in the concert’s highlighted piece. Joining Moran, Mizrahi, one of the world’s leading cantors and interpreters of Jewish music, will perform vocals as he did when he worked with Brubeck in the late 1960’s on the original interpretation of “Gates of Justice.”
Also taking the stage, conductor Norah Duncan IV, chair and professor of music at Wayne State University (WSU), will direct the Detroit Brass and Percussion Ensemble, featuring baritone soloist Emery Stephens, as well as a 60-voice choir composed of the Detroit Choral Society and WSU’s Symphonic Choir.
Written in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, “Gates of Justice” is Brubeck’s second religious concert work, and is deeply rooted in not only the struggles of African Americans and Jews, but also reflects optimism about the brotherhood of man .The piece is interlaced with vocal performances, citing biblical scriptures and powerful segments from Dr. King’s speeches. A brief narrative about the composition and participating artists’ impact on the Civil Rights Movement as a whole will proceed the concert.
In addition to community series concerts, the Detroit Jazz Festival conducts education programs and workshops year-round, leading up to the world’s largest free jazz festival on Labor Day weekend. Tickets to this performance are $25, $15 for students and can be purchased online at https://www.livenation.com. VIP packages are also available.
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