Author Archives: The Independent Ear

Robert Glasper backstage at Oberlin College the other night greeting one of his fans, the writer’s daughter Iyesha Jenkins. One element of our dialogue on the black audience for creative music, as well as our conversation with Nicholas Payton (scroll … Continue reading →

Always on the read for young writers with a viewpoint on creative music, I’ve recently been exchanging Tweets with Brooklyn-based writer Angelika Beener. Ms. Beener, who at least in part comes to this music through the influence of her father, … Continue reading →

Want to know why trumpeter Nicholas Payton is so convinced that the term JAZZ is completely outmoded, and why he suggests BAM – shorthand for Black American Music – is a more ecumenical and honest term for today’s creative music? … Continue reading →

Our ongoing Independent Ear dialogue on the black audience for creative music (wherefore art thou?) continues with contributions from two readers responding to question as well as previous posts. Stay tuned, shortly we’ll be posting our public interview with Nicholas … Continue reading →

Cuyahoga Community College’s new Center For Creative Arts; a case could be made for this being the House that Tri-C JazzFest Built Tri-C JazzFest (TCJF), produced by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), will celebrate it’s 33rd anniversary festival April 19-28 as … Continue reading →