The next book signing event for African Rhythms, the autobiography of Randy Weston (Composed by Randy Weston, Arranged by Willard Jenkins; Duke University Press) will be Sunday, February 20, 2011 3:00 p.m. at Sista’s Place, 456 Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY (call 718/398-1766). For those not familiar with Sista’s Place it is a thoroughly unique example of community self-empowerment in the spirit of the former space known as the East, whose history we chronicled in The Independent Ear a couple of months back. Sista’s Place is easily accessible by subway: take the A or C train to the Nostrand Avenue stop and walk two blocks down Nostrand and you’ll be greeted by one of the most vibrant scenes in New York.
Sista’s Place hosts Saturday evening jazz events that are truly events, in the old school manner of audiences energizing the artists. Coming soon to The Independent Ear will be some interview commentaries from the forthcoming Weeksville Heritage Center jazz archives on the development of Sista’s Place as one of Brooklyn’s most consistent spots for jazz performance.