LEON FORREST Lecture Series Takes a Musical Turn with a Jazz-Filled Event

In a refreshing spin on tradition, the LEON FORREST Lecture Series is set to make a splash with a jazz-infused revival on March 4th. This year, the annual event will deviate from its usual format of featuring key speakers and instead, showcase a collaborative jazz performance involving eight seasoned musicians: Greg Ward, Marquis Hill, Brandee Younger, Jeff Parker, Makaya McCraven, De'Sean Jones, and Ben LaMar Gay. As the stage gets set in Galvin Hall from 4 to 7 p.m., attendees are in for a memorable blend of education and entertainment.

A Course Collaboration Brings Jazz to the Forefront

The concert is a unique outcome of the course 'New Black Music (Jazz) in Chicago' taught by Prof. Nitasha Sharma, available for just one session through Black Studies and Asian American Studies. The course has been structured to emulate the essence of jazz, with spontaneous elements within a structured framework, where instead of traditional academic writing, students get to engage directly in the creative process.

Student Involvement in Organizing the Event

Divided into teams like advertising, merchandising, and hospitality, the 45 students enrolled in the course have the hands-on task of ensuring the event's success. This involves executing everything from event logistics to interacting with the very artists they study, making their final project a real-world experience that extends beyond the classroom.

Panel Discussion and Educational Engagement

Complementing the concert will be a panel discussion, providing audiences with the opportunity to delve deeper into the musicians' artistic perspectives. Furthermore, the entire event is free and open to the public, very much aligning with the department's mission to disseminate culture and knowledge widely. Department of Black Studies Chair Prof. Mary Pattillo praised Prof. Sharma's efforts in bringing innovative concepts and influential guests into the learning environment.

Impressions within the Classroom and Beyond

Through the course and the upcoming event, students have pondered on the powerful role that music, particularly jazz, plays in transcending social boundaries. The rich discussions around the freedom inherent in the Chicago music scene and the rejection of rigid genre labels stand testimony to this. True to the nature of jazz, the hope is for the concert-goers to leave with either a reinforced appreciation or a newfound love for the genre.

jazz, education, collaboration