Despite distancing and thanks to virtual conferencing, one of the College of Music鈥檚 most important annual events will go on this winter. The fourth annual Distinguished Lectureship in Music, Diversity and Inclusion will feature a conversation between the College of Music鈥檚 Diversity and Outreach Coordinator Alma Ramos and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis.
鈥淢arsalis is such a prominent performer, composer and educator in the jazz and classical realms,鈥� Ramos says. 鈥淭here is also a lot we can learn from him about his experience as a Black man within the profession of music. It鈥檚 important for our BIPOC students, and even faculty and staff, to be able to see themselves within the realm of music in so many avenues.鈥�
The Monday, Feb. 15, conversation is happening in conjunction with , a special, virtual Artist Series event available Feb. 19-21.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Assistant Director of Touring Daniel Israel says it鈥檚 a mission of the band and a personal passion for Marsalis to make music inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. 鈥淥ur : 鈥榃e believe jazz is a metaphor for Democracy. Because jazz is improvisational, it celebrates personal freedom and encourages individual expression. Because jazz is swinging, it dedicates that freedom to finding and maintaining common ground with others. Because jazz is rooted in the blues, it inspires us to face adversity with persistent optimism,鈥欌�� Israel says.
Marsalis, who made a name for himself quickly as a child prodigy on trumpet, went on to attend Juilliard; perform with Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Sarah Vaughan and others; and become a prolific composer, author and activist. In his work with JLCO, Marsalis has tried to make jazz and music education an integrated part of school programs. Israel says one silver lining of the pandemic has been the opportunity to spread JLCO鈥檚 message to a broader audience.
鈥淲hereas in a normal year we would only be able to do outreach events locally, we鈥檙e able to do them all over the country now. We鈥檙e opening the eyes of children who may never have been exposed to jazz, or even music, in this way before.鈥�
Marsalis has also done several virtual talks this year, reaching more audiences than ever before. Incoming College of Music Dean John Davis says Marsalis will bring a unique perspective to the college鈥檚 distinguished lectureship series.
鈥淲ynton is an engaging speaker and brings a lot of insight to the college鈥檚 Distinguished Lectureship on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion series,鈥� Davis explains. 鈥淗e has been a long-time advocate for diversity and racial equity, both inside and outside of music.听
鈥淭his series grew from one of the pillars of the college鈥檚 strategic plan and was launched in 2018 to begin a more formal engagement with diverse people, experiences and points of view about music. It is just one among several efforts to cultivate diversity and inclusion at the college, and will remain an important part of that education.鈥�
Davis will introduce Ramos and Marsalis at the beginning of the virtual conversation, with Ramos moderating questions from students and guests. 鈥淲e will engage in meaningful conversations and get a sneak peek of what his life experiences entailed in order to get to his highly esteemed position today,鈥� Ramos says. 鈥淚t will be an insightful and inspiring conversation for everyone attending.鈥�
Ramos adds, it will be meaningful for the college community to hear from this champion of music inclusivity鈥攅specially at this important moment of racial reckoning for music programs across the country.
鈥淏ecause of the unjust deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain and so many other innocent Black lives, the anti-Asian racism due to COVID-19, and the ongoing pandemic, there is no way the College of Music cannot react to everything that has happened,鈥� Ramos says. 鈥淭his work has needed to be done in order to better support our students, faculty and staff with underrepresented identities. Therefore, we at the college have to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and prepare to make the appropriate changes personally and systemically to make this a welcoming and supportive environment for underrepresented folks. It鈥檚 also an incredible opportunity for us, as artists, to expand our knowledge and library of the multitude of contributions that non-White, European, men have made in music and celebrate them.鈥�
The Fourth Annual Distinguished Lectureship on Music, Diversity and Inclusion is Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Information about how to access the event, and听tickets to the Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents The Democracy! Suite virtual performance are available at听the CU Presents website:
Photo above courtesy
