Jay Rodriguez  (tenor sax, bass clarinet, alto flute, Colombian reeds), Sumi Tonooka (piano), Keith Witty (bass), Pheeroan akLaff (drums), Special guest Brian Jarawa Grey (percussion)

This concert is a premiere of works of inspiration that re-examine Paul Robeson's work to raise consciousness worldwide.

Pheeroan akLaff has built a body of  work for change through creative music and interdisciplinary media since 1976. His performances and residencies have enthralled audiences throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe. His voluminous recorded works include a wide range of outstanding composers.  Among the many to enjoy his approach to the American drum set, are Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Anthony Davis, Amina Claudine Myers, Henry Threadgill, Sonny Sharrock, Yamashita Yosuke, Geri Allen, Liu Sola, Andrew Hill, Mike Nock, James Newton, Anthony Braxton, Don Byron, Tom Pierson, Rob Reddy, Aska Maret-Kaneko, Ray Anderson, and Bobby Zankel.

akLaff has led ensembles featuring his compositions at festivals in Willisau, Saalfelden, Austria; Melbourne and Wangaratta, Australia; Nuremberg, Germany; and the Vision Festival in New York. 

He has lived and worked in Ivory Coast and Nigeria and mentored students for thirty years at Wesleyan University and New School University.  He also co-founded Seed Artists, a non-profit, www.seedartists.org, which furthers arts within communities, and has generated opportunities for creative musicians both in small concerts and in festivals honoring legacy artists Eric Dolphy, Richard Davis, Grachan Moncur lll, Andrew Cyrille, and Milford Graves. 

photo by R.I.Sutherland-Cohen