Tag #Nea Jazz Masters

How did the performances of the NEA Jazz Masters reflect the broader themes of freedom and transcendence explored in the concert?

The concert's theme of freedom resonated with the precarious situations of both the NEA and the Kennedy Center. Gary Giddins' speech, referencing Duke Ellington's writings on jazz as a barometer of freedom, connected the art form's inherent liberty to the lack of harmony in American society. The performances, particularly those by Crispell and Allen, exemplified this spirit of pushing boundaries and embracing alternative modes of expression.