In addition to performing and leading my own band, I find myself in different positions to explore concepts, messages, and deeper meanings through music, interdisciplinary projects, and sometimes outside of music altogether!
With the Groid Residency, I wanted to extend the feeling and purpose of Black History Month into March (and onward) in highlighting different bandleaders who not just play this music at a high level, but who use it to make important statements about the culture, the lives of Black Americans and the Diaspora, and humankind.
Along with executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, Wayne Winborne, I curated a residency at Clement’s Place Jazz in Newark, NJ. The first three bands on the list of these ongoing concerts and talkbacks would be led by myself, Barry Stephenson, and Willerm Delisfort.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue and the University, along with all surrounding nightlife and culture was shut down for the safety of us all.
The Groid Residency WILL return with both Stephenson’s and Delisfort’s phenomenal groups, but also other amazing bandleaders and music, as we’ve already planned to extend this project.
Please stay tuned for updates on the Groid Residency as we all make it through these trying times.
The current worldwide pandemic halted the series, but we DID manage to have a wonderful opening night with the DUBtet and a sold out, packed house.
The group featured the artistry of myself, Brent Birckhead on alto saxophone and flute, Jonathan Thomas on piano, Jonathan Michel on bass, and Russell Carter on drums.
All photographs by Richard Ryals