A.B. Spellman (author, poet, critic) , Dr. David Baker (Jazz Master), and Dr. Billy Taylor (Jazz Master) speaking about the future of jazz. I was in the audience and found the discussion illuminating and emotional. As an audience member, I had the opportunity to speak at the end…and I spoke about the importance of raising the profile of jazz in America and honoring the brilliant musicians who gave us “America’s music.”

Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts inviting the guests to participate in a lively conversation on the future of jazz, jazz education, and jazz audiences.

Langston Hughes Auditorium Oct. 2008
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
New York, NY

This symposium launched the 2009 NEA Jazz Masters celebration,
taking place in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center.