Journey of Jazz

Greater Madison Jazz Consortium concert/lecture by Hanah Jon Taylor Quintet

COMING IN APRIL AND MAY: JAZZ AT THE LIBRARY SERIES AT 12 BRANCHES AROUND DANE COUNTY.

In partnership with 12 local public library branches (three in Madison, and nine in surrounding communities), the Consortium will be presenting a new jazz history series, beginning on 4/7/15 and running through 5/22/15. Each participating library branch will present one of these three programs, and all will be free admission.

Journey of Jazz. This program traces the stylistic evolution of jazz from its origins to the present day, in a musical performance by the Hanah Jon Taylor Quintet, interwoven with a dramatic presentation of the music's history by Hanah. (Mt. Horeb, 4/9/15, 6:30 PM; Madison Central, 4/10/15, 7:00 PM; Verona, 4/16/15, 6:30 PM; Sun Prairie, 4/19/15, 2:00 PM; Oregon, 4/21/15, 6:00 PM; Marshall, 5/22/15, 6:00 PM)

Jazz is a Heartbeat. This program focuses on the Harlem Renaissance, with readings by Madison Poet Laureate Emeritus Fabu accompanied by live music from Hanah Jon Taylor, and a book talk by UW Professor Ethelene Whitmire, author of the new biography, Regina Anderson Andrews, Harlem Renaissance Librarian. (Monroe Street, 4/18/15, 3:00 PM; Middleton, 4/30/15, 6:30 PM; Waunakee, 5/5/15, 6:30 PM)

Jazz in Exile. Madison-based filmmaker Chuck France will screen and discuss his seminal documentary film, Jazz in Exile, which examines the flight of American jazz musicians to other countries and continents where their music found much larger and more appreciative audiences. (Goodman South Madison, 4/7/15, 6:30 PM; Deerfield, 4/20/15, 6:30 PM; Fitchburg, 5/20/15, 6:30 PM).

"Jazz at the Library" is made possible by grants from Beyond the Page, with funding from the National Endowment from the Humanities and Madison Community Foundation, as well as grants from Dane Arts and the John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation.