The Kitchen And Arts For Art Present IDENTITY: FREEDOM

New York-based free jazz organization Arts for Art collaborates with The Kitchen to present free jazz ensembles in a multidisciplinary program of improvisation over the course of three evenings, March 7-9, 2019, at The Kitchen. From jazz, dance, and poetry to political discourse, these concerts consist of musical and discursive interjections among participants, which segue into conversations that are inclusive of audiences. The events aim to foster and celebrate new interrelationships among participants and audiences as they revolve around our conceptions of social justice. Titled IDENTITY: FREEDOM, the project declares liberation in both self-possession and movement.

The lead artists are all New York-based and well-established players in the vanguard of free jazz music: pianist and composer Dave Burrell (born 1940); drummer, percussionist, and composer Andrew Cyrille (born 1939); and bassist, improviser, composer, writer, and educator William Parker (born 1952). IDENTITY: FREEDOM is organized by Tim Griffin, Todd Nicholson, Patricia Nicholson Parker, and Fred Moten.

Thursday, March 7 at 8pm
William Parker's Trail of Tears Continuum (1492-2019)

Bassist and composer William Parker premieres a new multimedia work tracing the de-evolution of humanity in America. The 90-minute suite is broken into four sections-"Plantations," "Reservations," "Housing Projects," and Prisons"-and built around new music, libretto, and narrative composed by Parker. Performers include singers AnnMarie Sandy and Raina Sokolov Gonzalez, musicians Hamid Drake (drums), Rob Brown (alto sax), Steve Swell (trombone) and Cooper-Moore (piano), and features original poetry by Fred Moten and Tracie Morris. The piece is also accompanied by a film by Parker and Michael Lucio-Sternbach.

Friday, March 8 at 8pm
Dave Burrell's Harlem Renaissance

Pianist and composer Dave Burrell premieres the latest iteration of his continuing exploration of the Harlem Renaissance, presented in tribute to the Civil Rights activist and entertainer Josephine Baker. The piece centers on the interaction between piano and two dancers, Marguerite Hemmings and another to be announced soon, augmented by a brass line featuring Ted Daniel (trumpet), Steve Swell (trombone) and Dick Griffin (trombone), and rhythm section of William Parker (bass) and Hamid Drake (drums). Piano and dance take turns leading and following the ensemble, blurring lines between composition and free improvisation.

Saturday, March 9 at 8pm
Andrew Cyrille's Haitian Fascination

Drummer and composer Andrew Cyrille presents new work paying homage to his Haitian ancestry. Joining Cyrille are collaborators old and new, including Angelica Sanchez (piano), Lisle Atkinson (bass), Val Jeanty (percussion, electronics) and Jorge Sylvester (saxophone). Poet Stephanie Jean and additional musicians augment the ensemble.

Tickets for each show are $25 ($20 for members) and can be purchased online at www.thekitchen.org; by phone at 212.255.5793 x11; or in person at The Kitchen (512 West 19th Street), Tuesdays - Saturdays, 2:00 - 6:00 P.M.

IDENTITY: FREEDOM is presented as part of The Kitchen's continuing series Representation / Occupation.