March 20--Several musical events will unfold during the run of the Archibald Motley exhibition, bringing the jazz of his era in touch with ours.
Performances, programmed by Columbia College Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., unless otherwise noted. For more information, see colum.edu/motley.
Among the highlights:
"Jazz and Jive I: Music and Dance Inspired by Archibald Motley." Choreographer Keesha Beckford and trumpeter Scott Hall collaborate with Columbia students in a tribute to Motley. 3 to 4 p.m. April 11 in the cultural center's Claudia Cassidy Theater.
James Falzone: "Liminal Voices." Enterprising Chicago composer-clarinetist Falzone presents a new work in response to the Motley exhibition, as well as Steve Reich's "New York Counterpoint." Noon to 1 p.m. April 13 in the cultural center's Preston Bradley Hall.
"Jazz and Jive II: Music and Dance inspired by Archibald Motley." See "Jazz and Jive I" description above. 3 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. May 15 at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court.
"Louis Armstrong Legacy Program and Celebration." Chicago Public Schools bands and choirs explore Armstrong's music, which they've studied under trombonist and Satchmo aficionado Wycliffe Gordon. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18 in the cultural center's Cassidy Theater.
"Chicago's Sound Palette I: Tomeka Reid." An inventive Chicago cellist-composer-bandleader, Reid will offer her response to the Motley exhibition (Chicago's Sound Palette series is curated by Kate Dumbleton of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago). 6 to 7 p.m. May 28 in the cultural center's Bradley Hall.
"Chicago's Sound Palette II: Victor Garcia." Chicago trumpeter Garcia will explore music of Motley's travels. 6 to 7 p.m. June 11 in the cultural center's Sidney R. Yates Gallery.
"Chicago's Sound Palette III: Marquis Hill." Hill, who won the Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition, returns to his hometown to reflect on Motley's art. 6 to 7 p.m. June 25 in the cultural center's Yates Gallery.
-- Howard Reich
