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Please join us for a free panel discussion that delves into the creative work behind Generate Music, a new collection of compositions exploring the ties between Black and Jewish Americans. The panel is hosted and co-curated by the Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, Temple University, and will take place at Temple's Charles Library Event Space.Free with RSVP at generate.prismquartet.com/panels
In a conversation moderated by entertainment broadcaster/producer Dyana Williams, Generate Music artists Ursula Rucker (poetry/vocals) and David Krakauer (clarinet), and Jared Jackson (Founder and Executive Director of Jews in ALL Hues) will talk about the inspiration for Ursula and David’s pieces, the special 11-member “supergroup” formed for this project, and more.
Pew Fellow Ursula Rucker is an interdisciplinary poet, performer, and recording artist whose many collaborators have included Wax Tailor, King Britt, 4hero, and The Roots. She describes her Generate Music piece, Let us Gather Together, as “a poetic moment of gathering and siphoning…all of US…all of our beings…and stories…and our collective cooperative…great good intentions THEREIN.”
A co-leader of Abraham, Inc., Ancestral Groove, Breath & Hammer, and former member of the Klezmatics, clarinetist/composer David Krakauer describes his piece, The Unknown Common Ancestor, as “representing the need that all human beings have to express themselves. For Jews and African Americans, I see one of the ‘common ancestors’ as the ‘cry’ of supplication reaching towards the divine: from the sound of Armstrong’s or Dizzy’s or Miles’ trumpet or Coltrane, or Bechet’s or Bird’s saxophone to the sounding of the ram’s horn (the shofar) during the Jewish high holy days; from the singing of a cantor in a synagogue to the ecstatic voices in the black church; from the scream of a preacher (or James Brown) to the bittersweet wailing of a klezmer band on a scratchy 78 record. These sounds of supplication all feel like one of the common ‘ancestors’ that Jews and African Americans share. Why ‘unknown’ ancestors? Because human beings as a species often fail to recognize these deep commonalities that we all share, causing our common humanity to become forgotten….and therefore somehow ‘unknown’.’”
Jared Jackson, MAJNM, is the Founder and Executive Director of Jews in ALL Hues, an education and advocacy organization that builds a world where intersectional diversity and dignity are normative. A Philadelphia-born multi-heritage Jew, Jared is an internationally renowned Jewish diversity leader, consultant, facilitator, speaker, writer, musician, and entrepreneur. He is an alum of the Selah leadership program through Bend The Arc: A Jewish Partnership for justice. Jared holds a certificate of nonprofit management from LaSalle University and was named one of the “Jews That Will Change the World” by periodical, Ma’ariv. Along with everything else, In May of 2021, Jared graduated from Hebrew Union College with a Master of Arts in Jewish Nonprofit Management.
Moderator: Dyana Williams is an entertainment powerhouse who is a beloved advocate and authority in Black music. The legendary on-air personality is a trailblazer in broadcasting, music activism and celebrity media strategy. She’s been a staple in radio since the 70s, and has been a frequent commentator on the highly acclaimed TV One music series, UNSUNG. She also co-executive produced the Teddy Pendergrass episode of UNSUNG, which garnered a NAACP Image Award that season. Fondly referred to as “The Mother of Black Music Month,” Dyana helped establish June, Black Music Month (with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Gamble and broadcaster Ed Wright) and was recognized for her music activism in the White House by Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Dubbed by the New York Times as “hip-hop’s artist whisperer,” Williams has engineered media strategies for her celebrity clientele who have included multiple GRAMMY Award winners, many platinum-selling performers, executives, actors and athletes, among many others. Some notable clients have included Rihanna, Jazmine Sullivan, Kirk Franklin, Jack Harlow, Charlie Wilson, and Saweetie, among others.
Read about all of the Generate Music artists and their contributions to the project at generate.prismquartet.com.
Panel discussion curated by:
Dr. Diane D. Turner, Curator, Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, Temple University
Leslie Willis-Lowry, Archivist, Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, Temple University
Helen Haynes, Former Director of Exhibitions/Programs at the African American Museum of Philadelphia; former Director/Curator of the Montgomery County Community College Lively Arts Series
Matthew Levy, Executive and Co-Artistic Director, PRISM Quartet
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Charles Library, 1900 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6013, United States,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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