Steppenwolf Presents 'A Legacy of Jazz & Poetry' Feb.4

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks-off Black History Month with A Legacy of Jazz and Poetry on February 4, 2008 in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre (1650 N. Halsted St.), part of the 2008 Traffic Series.

Jazz singer Maggie Brown celebrates the work of her late father – musician, playwright, poet and civil rights activist Oscar Brown, Jr. – with an evening of jazz music and spoken word.  A Legacy of Jazz and Poetry explores Oscar Brown, Jr.'s illustrious career – from his impact on the Black arts movement to his timeless influence on today's young hip-hop artists.  Maggie Brown is joined by a talented ensemble of artists including Keith Kelley of the Funky Wordsmyths, scholar and poet Tyehimba Jess, hip-hop artist Jeff Baraka and her sister, vocalist Africa Brown.  A Legacy of Jazz and Poetry is directed by Steppenwolf's Sylvia Ewing, Director of the Traffic Arts Series.

Tickets are $28 and available at the box office (1650 N. Halsted) call 312-335-1650 or visit www.steppenwolf.org

Steppenwolf's Traffic Series brings together artists of all disciplines and casts them as storytellers in one night only presentations on the Steppenwolf stage. Traffic provides an intimate and unique intersection of language, lyrics, poetry and music, creating a fresh perspective on expressing the American story. Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ, 91.5 FM) is planning to re-broadcast the one-night only Traffic events as part of its partnership with Steppenwolf.

Photo: Maggie Brown