Jazz Musicians United Against Racism
On Saturday September 5, 2020 The World Stage and Just Jazz presented, "Jazz Musicians United Against Racism," the second performance in an ongoing series which is live streamed in real-time. The event took place at the iconic World Stage venue in Leimert Park, South Los Angeles and was streamed via Facebook Live to over 1,000 viewers.
Five time Grammy award winning pianist Billy Childs kicked off the show with his trio, followed by many other talented musicians such as four time Grammy winning percussionist Munyungo Jackson, Grammy nominated sax player Bob Sheppard, and piano prodigy Jamael Dean and Grammy winning jazz vocalist Carmen Lundy. The event was curated and hosted by jazz industry media professional LeRoy Downs.
With over 20 years in jazz radio, Downs has quite an extensive resume, beginning in 1999 at K-Jazz radio station. His resume includes jazz radio/television producer, journalist, and broadcaster. He is a longtime host for the Monterey Jazz Festival as well as Los Angeles’ own Central Avenue Jazz Festival, among many others. Mr. Downs is the Jazz DJ for KCRW with a weekly show “Just Jazz.”
Co-producing this series with Frederick Smith Jr., an editor for James Corden’s show and jazz vocalist Dwight Tribble, curator of the World Stage is meaningful in itself. The World Stage has the history of being the hub of an art renaissance among the Black community. It is a place where many of Los Angeles’ renown musicians went to learn and be mentored, embraced and prepared for life in a not always welcoming world. It symbolizes deep connections for musicians of color rooted in positivity, creativity and peace.
Downs feels Jazz music is important, stating that “jazz music is a foundational fabric in our lives”.
When Downs spoke about Jazz music in correlation to this concert, which is being used as a platform to talk about racism, he said, “I want to give artists a platform to play music and share how racism has affected their lives.”
The artists at the show did just that, when Jackson took to the stage he spread the message that the purpose of the event is to have a “conversation through music”.
The event brought awareness to the issue of racism which many still face and to encourage people to make a difference by voting in every election. Downs’ dream of “using music to do his part in a beautiful and peaceful way, while bringing people together”, was further solidified.
Downs looks forward to having the third “Jazz Musicians United Against Racism” event in October, in hopes that it will be a victory party celebrating good news of the future political climate of our country.