Last week we had the delight of attending The Broad museum’s “Black Fire Sessions.” Before even stepping through the doors, it was clear the night was in full swing. An outdoor garden was filled with enthused attendees who enjoyed a stocked bar of wines and cocktails under the full moon. The celebratory atmosphere was uncontainable and we excitedly wandered in from the warm summer evening to experience an array of live performances which accompanied the exhibition “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983.” The exhibition featured the work of 60 artists and throughout the event we experienced various interpretations of the language of jazz, which in a sense, served as a soundtrack to the exhibition.

The Broad museum, “Black Fire Sessions.”

Detail from Soul of a Nation exhibition.

Upon entrance into the museum, we were met by Teebs‘s innovative “beat music,” the member of Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder label and the ‘My Hollow Drum’ Collective, was in the zone as he played his multifaceted-layered recordings. The captivated audience was intrigued by the experimental sounds, which served as an opening catalyst to the other musical aspects of the show. Other performances featured the co-founder of The Art Ensemble of Chicago and AfriCOBRA collaborator Roscoe Mitchell with world-renowned pianist, Brett Carson as well as several other Los Angeles-based musicians. We wandered through the museum and found ourselves in a room full of swaying bodies all moving to the sounds of Georgia Anne Muldrow with her partner, Declaime who showcased vocals, keyboards, and other instruments. Also performing was Busdriver, whose work incorporates a combination of funk, rap, and scat and Mecca Vazie Andrews whose three-movement and dance pieces were presented in the galleries.

The Broad Museum, “Black Fire Sessions.”

Each unique rendition of performance coupled with the art exhibition highlighted a deeper meaning of the symbolism jazz and art in the struggle for equality since the early civil rights and Black Power movements. “Soul of a Nation” utilizes artistic expression to educate, exemplify and acknowledge the pain and hardships endured through the lens of empowerment and the vehicle of change. The Broad’s Black “Fire Sessions” was a night we will not forget and we were jazzed to be a part of it.