SEPTEMBER 8-OCTOBER 1, 2020 - ONLINE, ACROSS THE GLOBE - Alphabet City
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SEPTEMBER 8-OCTOBER 1, 2020 ONLINE, ACROSS THE GLOBE
At its core, Jazz Poetry is about the exchange of music, language, and ideas. The festival began in 2005 to showcase
the voice of our first exiled writer-in-residence, Chinese poet and author Huang Xiang. Although Huang Xiang spoke
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY no English, pairing his words with the music of renowned saxophonist Oliver Lake allowed his poetry to transcend
differences in language and enabled Huang Xiang to express himself freely to his neighbors in Pittsburgh.
Sept. 8 Sept. 10
Waclaw Zimpel Thoth Trio: Meditations on Quarantine Over the last 15 years, Jazz Poetry has grown from a one-night concert in a Northside alley, to a month-long
with Alex Frieheit ft. Poets Richard Blanco, Asieh Amini, Joy festival, “known ’round the world.” And never has that moniker been more true than in 2020.
Register now for free Katz, & Natalie Diaz
Register now for free
Sept. 15 Sept. 16 The eight concerts of Jazz Poetry 2020 virtually connect international musicians and poets, bringing together a
diverse set of voices to collaborate, to exchange ideas, and engage in a conversation about freedom of expression.
The Jaak Sooäär Trio Off Minor Jazz: Nat King Cole, the
with Kai Aareleid Pianist ft. Poets mónica teresa ortiz, Grace
Register now for free Shuyi Liew, Mansur Rajih, & Sara Borjas
Register now for free Jazz Poetry 2020 closes City of Asylum’s 15th anniversary season and although it’s been a dramatically unexpected
Sept. 22 Sept. 24 season, there is still much to celebrate. This festival allows us to grow the virtual home we’ve built for artists
over the last several months, continue to connect artists and audiences, and grow our international community
Mihály Borbély Yoko Suzuki Trio:
with Tibor Zalán The Music of Geri Allen committed to protecting and celebrating creative freedom of expression.
Register for free Register now for free
Sept. 29 Oct. 1 All programs start at 7:00 PM EDT
Kaja Draksler with “Tallahatchie LullaBye, Baby” TUESDAY, September 8
Irena Tomazin ft. Poet Doug Kearney Waclaw Zimpel: PROGROM ft. Poet Alex Frieheit
Register now for free Register now for free
THURSDAY, September 10
Thoth Trio: Meditations on Quarantine ft. Poets Richard Blanco, Asieh Amini, Joy Katz, Ways to Watch
& Natalie Diaz
All programs on the Jazz Poetry Month
TUESDAY, September 15 channel are streamed on Crowdcast.
See (and click on) the event listings to
The Jaak Sooäär Trio ft. Poet Kai Aareleid
the left for access and registration.
WEDNESDAY, September 16 All programs are streamed at 7:00 PM.
Off Minor Jazz: Nat King Cole, the Pianist ft. Poets mónica teresa ortiz, Grace Shuyi Missed a program? Don’t worry—all
Liew, Mansur Rajih, & Sara Borjas programs will remain archived and
accessible on the City of Asylum
TUESDAY, September 22 Crowdcast page.
Mihály Borbély Quartet ft. Poet Tibor Zalán All poetry programs will be captioned
and made available in accessible format
THURSDAY, September 24 7 days after their original air date. These
Yoko Suzuki Quartet The Music of Geri Allen accessible videos can be found on “past
events” on the City of Asylum Crowdcast
page.
TUESDAY, September 29
Kaja Draksler ft. Irena Tomazin
THURSDAY, October 1
“Tallahatchie LullaBye, Baby” ft. Poet Doug Kearney
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PHEEROAN AKLAFF: DRUMMER
Pheeroan akLaff reflects music centered in ritual and
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 7:00 PM imagination. He is most noted for his performances
and recordings with a milieu of music pioneers
Tallahatchie LullaBye, Baby including Wadada Leo Smith, Andrew Hill, Anthony
Run time: 90 minutes Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman, Oliver Lake,
Anthony Davis, Henry Threadgill, Sonny Sharrock,
Yamashita Yosuke, Baikida Carroll, Liu Sola, and
A riveting, vital poem—a lullaby to Emmett Till with four national several international creative musicians. He maintains collaborations
jazz greats creating new pieces in response. Read by author Douglas with a wide range of composers and multidisciplinary artists. Originally
Kearney, compositions and performances by Pheeroan akLaff, Dee from Detroit, Pheeroan moved to New York in 1978. In 1981 he lived
Alexander, Orrin Evans, and Nicole Mitchell. Co-curated by MacArthur and worked in Abidjian Cote D’Ivoire and Lagos Nigeria. His travels in
Fellow Terrance Hayes. Africa, India and Japan are influential in his music. His compositions are
heard on his LP, House of Spirit: Mirth, EP Fits Like A Glove, and CD’s;
Sonogram, Global Mantras, The Willisau Concert and Live at Yahagi.
This concert features multiple interpretations and multiple hearings of In 2000 he was awarded a NYFA composer grant, and in 2018 a New
one piece, created in response to longstanding issues of systemic social Music USA project grant. He has conducted workshops and lectures in
injustice and racial inequality. Saalfelden Austria; My-Uni Conference on Art and Spirituality, in Bogota,
Colombia; University de Javierna, in Toronto, Canada; The Music
Gallery, and in Jyderup,Denmark; Jyderup Accordion. He co-founded
DOUGLAS KEARNEY: POET Seed Artists Inc. (www.seedartists.org) to enrich multi-generational
Douglas Kearney has published six collections, including communities with festivals, concerts, youth art workshops, and jazz
Buck Studies (Fence Books, 2016), winner of the Theodore listening series in Montclair, New Jersey and New York. akLaff is also an
Roethke Memorial Poetry Award, the CLMP Firecracker Advisory Board Member at City Of Asylum, Pittsburgh, and a teacher
Award for Poetry, and California Book Award silver of drums at Wesleyan University. akLaff is also involved in Music and
medalist (Poetry). M. NourbeSe Philip calls Kearney’s neuroscience projects with Dr. Psyche Loui, Dr. Julian F. Thayer, Scott
Photo: Bao Phi ®
collection of libretti, Someone Took They Tongues (Subito, Robinson and Milford Graves, and the release of akLaff’s new album
2016), “a seismic, polyphonic mash-up.” Kearney’s Mess Hana Dharma with Aska Maret is marked for release in Winter 2021.
and Mess and (Noemi Press, 2015), was a Small Press Distribution Handpicked
Selection that Publisher’s Weekly called “an extraordinary book.” His newest
collection, Sho (Wave, 2021) is forthcoming. His operas include Sucktion,
Mordake, Crescent City, Sweet Land, and next year’s Comet / Poppea. He has
received a Whiting Writer’s Award, a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Cy
Twombly Award for Poetry, residencies/fellowships from Cave Canem, The
Rauschenberg Foundation, and others. Kearney teaches Creative Writing at ORRIN EVANS: PIANIST
the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and lives in St. Paul with his family. Orrin Evans is an American jazz pianist. Evans
was born in Trenton, New Jersey and raised in
DEE ALEXANDER: VOCALIST Philadelphia. He attended Rutgers University, and
Dee Alexander is one of Chicago’s most gifted and then studied with Kenny Barron. He worked as a
respected female vocalist/songwriters. Her talents span sideman for Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, Duane
every music genre, from Gospel to R&B, from Blues to Eubanks, and Lenora Zenzalai-Helm, and released
Neo-Soul. Yet her true heart and soul are experienced in his debut as a leader in 1994. He signed with Criss
their purest form through her performance of Jazz music. Cross Jazz in 1997, recording prolifically with the label. He was awarded
From a soft, sultry traditional ballad, to a contemporary a 2010 Pew Fellowships in the Arts. Evans was recently named the
Jazz-Funk groove; from a high flying swing, to a scat-filled new pianist in The Bad Plus. Through 25 albums as a leader and co-
romp, Dee Alexander delivers each style with a passion and love of music leader, including his neo-soul/acid jazz ensemble Luv Park and the
that comes across in each and every note, and with a style and grace that bracing collective trio Tarbaby, Evans has always followed a vigorously
is truly her own. Dee has also formed the Evolution Ensemble which is an individual path.
acoustic group that consists of string instruments and percussion with a strong Biographies continued on next page
emphasis on original compositions.
5
OTHER CITY OF ASYLUM VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 7:00 PM Visit alphabetcity.org for the most current schedule. Click on an event below to register.
Tallahatchie LullaBye, Baby
Biographies continued
NICOLE MITCHELL: FLUTIST
Nicole Mitchell is an award-winning flutist,
composer, conceptualist, bandleader, and educator.
Her research centers on the powerful legacy
of contemporary African American culture, its
ongoing expression of resistance and resilience, its
intriguing dialogue within the African diaspora and
its transformational impact on culture throughout
the globe. Mitchell composes for contemporary ensembles of varied
instrumentation and size (from solo to orchestra and big band) while
incorporating improvisation and a wide aesthetic expression. As a flutist
she has developed a signature language of improvisation through her
use of extended techniques informed by jazz, classical and world music
traditions of flute playing. She has been a repeated recipient of the “Top
Jazz Flutist” awards from Jazz Journalists Association and Downbeat
Magazine from 2010-2019. Professor Nicole Mitchell is the William
S. Dietrich II Chair for Jazz Studies, where she works to continue the
visionary legacies of her predecessors Geri Allen and Nathan Davis.
TERRANCE HAYES: POET
Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include
American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin
(Penguin 2018) and To Float In The Space Between:
Drawings and Essays in Conversation with Etheridge
Knight (Wave, 2018). To Float In The Space Between
was winner of the Poetry Foundation’s 2019 Pegasus
Award for Poetry Criticism and a finalist for the 2018
National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. American Sonnets for
My Past And Future Assassin won the Hurston/Wright 2019 Award for
Poetry and was a finalist the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award
in Poetry, the 2018 National Book Award in Poetry, the 2018 TS Eliot
Prize for Poetry, and the 2018 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Hayes is a
Professor of English at New York University.
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DONATE TODAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our mission at City of Asylum is to protect, celebrate, and build community on creative free expression. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADVISORY BOARD ADVISORY BOARD
Founding North American Board: Mia Alvar
Feyisola Akintola, 2019
Russell Banks Jill Bialosky
We provide sanctuary to persecuted international writers so that their voices are not silenced and they can continue Carol Brown, 2015
to write. We are the largest writer sanctuary program in the world, with three writers-in-residence currently living Dionne Brand Angie Cruz
Anne Billiet Lackner, 2013, Vice President
in Pittsburgh. Michael McLean, 2011 Carolyn Forche Craig Dunham
Michael Ondaatje Amy Finnerty
Gwendolyn Moorer, 2011 *
Our program of literary and music events is how we celebrate freedom of expression. We provide a platform for Caryl Phillips Michael Formanek
Charles F. O’Hanlon III, 2010, Secretary/
artists not often heard in other venues, and partner with organizations to create a platform for under-represented Treasurer Salman Rushdie John Freeman
voices from Pittsburgh and beyond. Tomas Fujiwara
Henry Reese, co-founder, President * Wole Soyinka
Audrey Russo, 2017 Derek Walcott Mary Halvorson
We believe that everyone should have access to culture and the arts, regardless of means. This is why all of our Diane Samuels, co-founder * Oliver Lake
programs are free to access - both in person at our Northside home, Alphabet City, or online on our streaming Claire Messud
Akhil Sharma, 2015
channel.
Ken Segel, 2019 Viet Thanh Nguyen
Eric Shiner, 2017 Marc Nieson
Please join our community and help advance our mission by Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds George Packer
Richard Powers
making a donation today. Barbara Talerico, 2015 *
Laura Secor
In these uncertain times, sustaining support is more important than ever. Please consider becoming a monthly *Resident Central Northside Kamila Shamsie
donor, and spreading your gift throughout the year. This helps create stability for our organization and allows us to
James Wood
plan for the future.
As of September8,2020
Donate today CITY OF ASYLUM STAFF
R. Henry Reese Mahtab Nadalian Daniel Harris
City of Asylum is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All donations are tax-deductible. No goods or Co-Founder and President Production Coordinator Facility Manager
services are provided in exchange for your contribution. Our EIN is 20-2810099.
Diane Samuels Erin Roussel Victoria Peechatt
Co-Founder Manager of Special Projects Administrative and Development Assistant
PROGRAMMING ADMINISTRATION BOOKSTORE
Abby Lembersky Tommy Nelson Lesley Rains
Director of Programs Director of External Relations Bookstore Manager
Karla Lamb Allison M. Ruppert Jennifer Kraar
Senior Program Manager Manager/ Marketing Manager Children’s Bookseller
Volunteer Coordinator
Amy Gilligan
Khalil Zeigler Director of Finance and Operations
Program Coordinator
Tuhin Das
Alexis Jabour Accountant
Production Coordinator
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ABOUT US CITY OF ASYLUM BOOKSTORE @ ALPHABET CITY
OUR MISSION City of Asylum® Bookstore is committed to showcasing marginalized voices from
City of Asylum® builds a more just community by protecting and celebrating creative freedom of around the world. Our store is notable for its considered commitment to diverse
expression. We provide sanctuary to literary writers exiled under threat of persecution, so that they can voices for readers of all ages.
continue to write and are not silenced. And we offer a broad range of free literary, arts presenting, and
humanities programs in a community setting to build social equity through cultural exchange. We anchor We hope book lovers come into our store with an open heart and an open mind.
neighborhood economic development by transforming blighted properties into homes for our programs.
City of Asylum® Exiled Writer Residencies
The City of Asylum® Exiled Writer Residency Program is a long-term residency for literary writers who are in
exile from their home countries and under threat of persecution because of their writing. The goal of this sanctuary
program is to enable each writer-in-residence to continue to write while transitioning to a stable, independent life
in exile.
Works by Exil
ed Writers in R
esidence
City of Asylum® House Publications
or in-person
Shop online
City of Asylum® rehabilitates houses on Pittsburgh’s Northside for use by writers-in-residence, and commissions
a public artwork that incorporates a literary text for the façade of each house. City of Asylum calls this process
house-publishing.
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