The Montclair Academy of Dance and Laboratory of Music is thrilled to announce that Sonia Sanchez, renowned poet and Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, will read her own poetry at An Evening of Poetry and Jazz, the annual fundraiser for MADLOM. This rare and exciting event will be held on March 23, 2013 at Terra at the Isabel Rose in the Montclair Public Library.
Sanchez has authored 18 books of poetry, as well as plays and children’s books. Her political voice and teaching strengths have brought her respect and renown from all corners of activism and academia. In 2001, Sanchez was awarded the Robert Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime service to American poetry.
Sanchez will be joined by jazz greats Reggie Workman, Odean Pope, and Pheeroan akLaff. The evening will be a collaborative performance of Sonia Sanchez’s poetry together with the music of these locally-based and internationally-lauded musicians.
Reggie Workman, an honorary member of MADLOM’s Board of Directors, is a legendary jazz bassist, educator, and recipient of the Living Legend Award. As a part of the John Coltrane Quartet, and with greats like Thelonius Monk, Yusef Lateef, and Art Blakely’s Jazz Messengers, to name a few, Reggie Workman has proven that he truly is a living legend.
Odean Pope, has worked with musicians in a variety of musical styles as a saxophonist, artist, and educator. His artistry as performer, composer and arranger has earned him many citations from the City of Philadelphia. Among his many awards are: The Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Music Composition (1992), The Rockefeller Foundation (1992) and several from Chamber Music America. As a member of the Max Roach quartet for more than two decades, Odean Pope earned international acclaim as a tenor saxophone player.
Pheeroan akLaff is an avant-garde jazz drummer and educator who has played Oliver Lake, which included writing for the fusion ensemble, Jump Up. He has also performed with Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman. akLaff is co-founder of Seed Artists Inc., a 501-C3 which connects artists to their communities.
MADLOM is offering tickets to this fundraiser at several levels. Those wishing to meet the performers can purchase tickets at the VIP level of $90 per ticket, which includes a cocktail hour together with the poet and musicians from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Tickets for the concert, which will begin at 8 pm, can be purchased at the supporting level of $70, or two tickets for $100. Additional donations to support the MADLOM programs are gratefully accepted.
Please see the EventBrite page for more details.
It will be a great event. You should join us.