Dear friend
This week I want to introduce you to our Spring Jazz project which we are incredibly excited to present to our community.
Dranoff was honored to receive the AWARE grant from the Funding Arts Network (FAN) for a Classical /Jazz Festival Exploring West African influences in American music through segregation and synthesis of American performance.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary of philanthropy FAN created this Artistic Works Addressing and Rethinking Equity grant Initiative aims to advance exciting, probing performing arts illuminating critical issues related to equity, and that can foster public examination, inspire and inform a broader cultural understanding and strengthen our community and our understanding of the world.
The project will happen at the Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown Friday April 29th and May 1. It is going to be curated by the incredible performer, composer and storyteller Etienne Charles. Born in Trinidad, he is a firm believer in music as a tool for provoking thought and dialogue. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and was recently written into the US Congressional Record for his musical contributions to Trinidad & Tobago and the World.
Last weekend, Etienne headlined the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival, whose mission is to provide an environment where students and Band Directors can participate and interact with professional jazz musicians for the purpose of enhancing their appreciation and support of Jazz in our community.
So, let’s end February with two sides of American music - Euro-centric Classical and Afro-centric Jazz. Have a wonderful week.
Warmly,
Gabriele Fiorentino
President,
The Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation
Piano Slam
