Ms. Touray said that her band came together at a Jazz Re:freshed show three years ago and had played at Mau Mau ever since. The concerts in New York, the group’s first, were produced as part of a musical diplomacy project in association with British Underground, and they attracted an American version of the Jazz Re:freshed audience. “One of the defining qualities of Jazz Re:freshed is that since its inception they’ve said, ‘We’re trying to increase ethnic minority representation in both the performers and the audience,’” Mr. Hutchings said. Like Kamasi Washington, his more famous American contemporary, Mr. Hutchings uses minor keys to convey seriousness and passion, creating lift without forfeiting control. Perhaps Mr. Hutchings was feeling something familiar in the room at Nublu.

Source: New York Times August 29, 2017 19:13 UTC