Jesus Molina: finding joy in complexity with the Boston Pops
Jazz pianist Jesus Molina is performing with Branford Marsalis and the Boston Pops on May 22nd and 23rd at Symphony Hall, right before releasing his new album "Selah." He and Jazz on 89.7 host Al Davis caught up before the show.
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Concerts to Watch
JazzNOW: Afro Cuban Rhythms of Resilience, with Zahili Gonzalez Zamora
In celebration of International Jazz Day, GBH Music and JazzBoston present Cuban pianist, composer and arranger Zahili Gonzalez Zamora.
Music & Culture Events
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In Person
Ulysses Quartet at the BPL (5/22)
Join GBH Music in welcoming the Ulysses Quartet as its first-ever quartet in residence with a free performance at the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library on Wednesday, May 22, at noon.
The Ulysses Quartet's season-long partnership as quartet in residence furthers GBH Music's ongoing effort to connect with listeners of all backgrounds and ages. The partnership will span over fifty performances and events throughout the year, including with the Boston Public and Massachusetts schools. The Ulysses Quartet’s residency at GBH is made possible by a generous contribution from the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation.
Registration is encouraged for this free event.
Photo credit: Lara St. John
This event is presented with support from CRB and the Ulysses Quartet.
The Ulysses Quartet’s residency at GBH is made possible by a generous contribution from the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation. -
In PersonVirtual
The Music of Civil Rights, from Strange Fruit to The Roots
Music has always been central to the African American quest for freedom. The Civil Rights struggle and its music provided some of America’s most powerful calls of hope, moral clarity, and equity.
During the 19th century, spirituals such as Steal Away carried coded protest. In the 20th century, protest became explicit. In the 1930s Ethel Waters sang an anti-lynching song that shocked Broadway and Billie Holiday bravely recorded the stinging song Strange Fruit. Duke Ellington’s long career spoke for racial respect and civil rights in such pieces as Black Beauty and [Martin Luther] King Fit the Battle of Alabam’.
As political action picked up and in the 1950s and 1960s, We Shall Overcome became the clarion anthem of the Civil Rights movement and central to America’s moral quest for “a more perfect Union.” Old songs like This Little Light of Mine took on new meaning and fresh songs appeared such as If You Miss Me from the Back of the Bus. Black and white activists alike sang Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind. And great artists—such as Sam Cooke (A Change is Gonna Come), The Impressions (People Get Ready), James Brown (Say It Loud), Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, on up to The Roots—all sang to advance respect and equality.
Dr. John Edward Hasse, long-time music curator at the Smithsonian and Duke Ellington’s biographer, plays stirring video clips of these songs that inspired, motivated, and advocated for what Martin Luther King called for in his “I have a dream” speech: that we all be judged not by the color of our skin, “but by the content of our character.” He will also play works by W.C. Handy and Duke Ellington that helped lay the musical foundation for the Civil Rights movement.
Bookselling information
For in-person attendees, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, one of our community bookstore partners, will provide copies of Hesse's book Beyond Category: The Life and Genius of Duke Ellington for purchase and facilitate an author signing from 7 - 7:30 PM following the the audience Q&A. Zoom webinar attendees and any patrons wishing to order copies online may do so from Bookshop dot org by visiting this link.Partner:Boston Public Library -
In Person
June Outspoken Saturdays
The GBH BPL studio will host Outspoken Saturdays, a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists. Every first Saturday of the month, the series will be created in collaboration with spoken word artist Amanda Shea.
Registration is encouraged for this free event.
Culture in the News
'Evil Does Not Exist' — or does it? — in this mysterious Japanese eco-drama
The residents of a bucolic woodland community face off against a developer with big plans for the land in a film that will leave you rapt — and profoundly unnerved.
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After return of the Taliban, ArtLords continue artistic crusade for peace in Afghanistan
Driven by the transformative power of art and a desire to promote the artists who translate that power, artist and activist Omaid Sharifi co-founded ArtLords in 2014 to help convert the negative psychological impact of blast walls on the people of Kabul into a positive visual experience. -
'One Last Word' finds the comedy in what happens when you tell someone how you really feel
Author Suzanne Park's new rom-com is a novel centered around a Korean tech entrepreneur — and what happens when her new app accidentally sends intimate messages to all the important people in her life. -
Indian-Canadian musician Kiran Ahluwalia is 'shedding her shame' in new album 'Comfort Food'
Ahluwalia says there can be a 'kind of loneliness' in dissenting from Hindu fundamentalism.
GBH Music
Open Studio with Jared Bowen
You & Julia
“You & Julia” is a series that celebrates the legacy of Julia Child. Top chefs share their favorite stories, recipes, kitchen hacks, and other culinary tasks that they learned from the unforgettable chef, exploring how her contributions to the culinary world still resonate with cooking today. In the spirit of Julia, we encourage viewers to “be fearless, and above all have fun” by following along at home.
More Culture Programs
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Audra McDonald Performs "Will He Like Me?"
Audra McDonald performs "Will He Like Me?" from "She Loves Me."| 3:05 -
What is Audra McDonald's Connection to "Cornet Man"?
Audra McDonald performs "Cornet Man" and explains her special connection to the song.| 3:34 -
Audra McDonald Performs "I Could Have Danced All Night"
Audra McDonald performs "I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My Fair Lady."| 2:33