YUJC Presents: 1959 Breaking Free

Please join us on Saturday, December 7 at 8-9:45 PM in the Hopper Cabaret for our thrilling student-run, student-performed celebration of the 60th anniversary of 1959, an extremely important year in jazz history. Renowned Professor of Ethnomusicology and Jazz Studies Michael Veal will give an introduction that contextualizes the musical and social moment of 1959, so be sure to be seated at 7:30 PM!

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the pivotal year 1959 in jazz history, YUJC has assembled 24 student musicians from across campus to perform the music of Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck, and Art Blakey. Each of these five artists embodies a conception of freedom relevant to the 1959 zeitgeist. On the eve of the Civil Rights Movement and the counterculture of the 1960s, jazz broke free from the constraints of the musical and socio-political status quo, approaching social justice activism in disparate ways, questioning the freedom of the soul, and challenging the notions of what jazz is and would become. We invite you to reflect on the modern day through the music of 1959.

Hot drinks, cookies, and jazz club vibes will be provided, and the concert will be free and open to the public! There will be signage in the basement of Hopper leading to the Cabaret Theater.