Harlem Air Shaft
Harlem Air Shaft is an experimental street performance and research project dedicated to the relationship between jazz and memory. Drawing upon the language of the DIY rent party publicity to invoke the economics of jazz and the capacity of historic sites to hold memory, the work envelops the block in Harlem around 17 East 126th street known for Art Kane’s cross-generational photo, A Great Day in Harlem for the realization of ritual circling of the block. Engaging dancers Bianca Cosentino, Emily Tellier, and Omari Wiles with portable dance floors rhythmically driving the work in Morse code, musicologist Kwami Coleman speaking to the comings and goings of jazz in Harlem, jazz union representative Todd Bryant Weeks, addressing the economic hardship in the field through the language of the soapbox, a poetic meditation on the language and fleetingness of memory and saxophone player engaged in the sonic environment and fragmentary nature of a Harlem air shaft, the work is an elusive reminder and omen towards the rebirth and longevity of music and memory as a healing gesture.
-Justin Randolph Thompson in collaboration with Stefanie Nelson and Bradly Dever Treadaway
-Featuring: James Brandon Lewis, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Kwami Coleman, Todd Bryant Weeks, Bianca Cosentino, Emily Tellier, and Omari Wiles
-With the participation of Tatjana Lightbourn, Rich Alston, and Derek Gazal
This event is free to the public, made possible in part with funding from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation administered by LMCC and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
** A post-performance exhibition is planned with Arden Sherman at the Hunter East Harlem Gallery for Winter 2021/22 bringing together video documents from the performance event along with an experimental documentary that will be an outgrowth of the performance. Details to follow.
Press:
https://www.hvy.com/meagan-j-meehan/harlem-air-shaft-interview-with-justin-randolph-thompson
Event Listings:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Experimental-Multidisciplinary-Street-Performance-HARLEM-AIR-SHAFT-Announced-20210604
https://www.hothousejazz.com/event_detail.php?eid=64512
https://www.theateronline.com/pb.xzc?PK=62215
https://stagebuddy.com/event/harlem-air-shaft
http://theaterscene.com/press-releases-detail.php?pr_id=1622
https://jazztimes.com/event/harlem-air-shaft-feat-kwami-coleman-james-brandon-lewis/