On August 2, “A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives!” will commemorate the centennial birthday of the brutally honest writer and civil/human rights activist James Baldwin at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall (1941 Broadway) at 7:30 p.m., on the day of his actual birthday. The evening will feature luminaries in art, literature, and culture in celebration of Baldwin’s lasting impact and will include a special performance by Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and activist Rhymefest, as well as acknowledgments and tributes from the Baldwin family.
Baldwin, a native son born at Harlem Hospital on August 2, 1924, carried on the intellectual and political legacy of the Harlem Renaissance. His fiery words, razor-sharp and hotter than a southern barn fire (that appeared in his essays, novels, plays, and poems), were a continued catalyst for the social, political, and economic inequities of America.
It is important to mention that Baldwin’s early inspiration as a student at Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Junior High School was supported by Herman W. Porter, faculty advisor to the school newspaper and Harvard graduate. His other influence at the school was Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen. In 1938, he attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where he was further influenced by his teachers Richard Avedon, Emile Capouya, and Sol Stein. (In this 21st century, the question to ask is what happened to such outstanding public school faculty members?)
“A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives!” is co-produced by choreographer George Faison and the James Baldwin Centennial Committee (JBCC), an arm of the Estate composed of Baldwin’s nieces and nephews, created to facilitate special initiatives in conjunction with the centenary.
The New York Public Library will celebrate the Baldwin centenary with special exhibitions and free programs for all ages. Visit “Celebrating 100 Years of James Baldwin” for more information or www.jamesbaldwin100.org.
For Alice Tully Hall tickets, call 212-875-5456 or visit guestexperience@lincolncenter.org.
Black people have been contributing to European classical music as musicians and composers since the 1700s, from the Chevalier de Saint-Georges and Florence Price to William Grant Still. In 2021, New York’s Metropolitan Opera opened its doors for the first Black-composed opera in its 138-year history, which has been followed by more such operas (two composed by Terence Blanchard and one by Anthony Davis).
Africa’s love of classical music and commitment to performance will be highlighted on August 3 at Carnegie Hall (881-7th Avenue) for the North American debut of the Africa United Youth Orchestra (AUYO), organized by South Africa’s national orchestra, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. The AUYO is an ensemble comprising orchestral musicians from several African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Led by American conductor William Eddins, the first half of the concert highlights works by South African composers Michael Mosoeu Moerane, Mzilikazi Khumalo, and Bongani Ndodana-Breen. This project is spearheaded by Bongani Tembe, artistic director and chief executive of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic).
“Two years ago, Carnegie Hall wanted to form a youth orchestra from each continent, so for me, Clive Gillison, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, was the catalyst for this orchestra,” said Tembe during a Whatsapp conversation. “We asked musicians around the world, advertising to high schools and colleges. The interest was quite surprising, with over 200 young people applying. We were able to finally get that number down to a working ensemble of 65 and had our first in-person rehearsal in Pretoria just a few weeks ago.”
Tembe said he sent the students their orchestral parts to study and practice with their teachers. AUYO ages range from 19–28. Most attend college, but a few are professional musicians. “Seeing these young people from all over Africa collaborating brought so much joy and tears to my eyes,” said Tembe. “There are at least eight to nine different languages being spoken among these students. This orchestra highlights the young peoples’ skills and offers them experience and opportunities at the highest level. It is a cultural exchange that brings young people together through the music. They are our future.”
The Africa United Youth Orchestra is part of Carnegie Hall’s World Orchestra Week (WOW) August 1–7, which features nightly concerts by International Youth Orchestras from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the USA.
The Week of WOW! Festival Performances can be heard via Carnegie Hall Live, on WQXR 105.9 and WQXR.org.
For tickets and a complete schedule, visit the website carnegiehall.org.
NEA Jazz Master saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz makes his way to the Blue Note jazz club (131 West 3rd Street) from August 8–11. Their website didn’t share his band members, but it’s the legendary Bartz, so fans know he is going to be outrageous—his music over the last six decades says it all. Listen to him on Jackie McLean’s “Ode to Super” (Steeple Chase 1973) or anything with his own Ntu Troop, where he adds dashes of jazz soul and funk, with help from his soprano sax.
Bartz played with the likes of Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln before embarking on a stint with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He later got the call from Miles Davis to perform with his band at the Isle of Wight Festival that led to the 1971 album “Live-Evil” (Columbia Records).
He has released more than 45 solo albums and appears on more than 200. Recently, he recorded with the young visionary team of Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge for their label Jazz Is Dead.
Shows each night at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. For tickets, visit bluenotejazz.com.
At the Blue Note from August 12–14, David Murray, Questlove, and Ray Angry come together as Plumb. No leader here! Just a trio of creative geniuses pushing that jazz envelope to the edge of infinity. In 2024, drummer, DJ, and eclectic producer Questlove (bandleader of the Roots, in-house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) of such musicians as D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Fiona Apple, joined with keyboardist Angry and tenor saxophonist Murray, who is just as proficient on his bass clarinet, to record the album “Plumb” (J.M.I. Recordings)
“The musicianship is very high and everything goes on quite quickly,” said Murray. “We recorded 16 reels that day—just lots of improvisation. Ray is like a sponge and goes everywhere and Questlove is very poetic.” Murray, a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet, known for his furious flurries of hard bop and avant-garde improv, along with his beautiful rhythmic ballads, said he is looking forward to an exciting engagement.