Master Class

Before It Was JAZZ: The African Foundations Of An American Art Form

Inwood Hill Park Nature Center

Facilitator: Aaron Scott | Acclaimed jazz drummer, composer, founder and artistic director of the Inwood Jazz Festival

Featuring Master Musicians:

Abdou Mboup | Senegalese master percussionist and griot, preserving the ancient heartbeat of West African rhythm.

Frank Lacy | Powerhouse trombonist and vocalist whose soulful expression spans avant-garde jazz and deep post-bop lineage.

Sharp Radway | Virtuoso pianist, composer, and author dedicated to the profound spiritual and historical roots of the music.

Alex Blake | Legendary bassist renowned for his revolutionary, percussive acoustic technique and global jazz history.

Through performance, discussion, and demonstration, these internationally acclaimed artists, explore the rich, cultural traditions that gave rise to an American indigenous art form. Together, they illuminate the enduring connection between the musical traditions of West Africa and the evolution of jazz, revealing how those traditions continue to shape and inspire.

Date & Time: Wednesday, August 19th – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Inwood Hill Park Nature Center

Admission: Free