Event Info
Join BRIC on October 19, 20, and 21 for our ninth annual BRIC JazzFest! This acclaimed marathon Jazz festival, which is one of BRIC’s premiere performing arts programs, will take place across three days and two stages.
The 2023 BRIC JazzFest lineup brings together legends and rising stars from both inside and outside the jazz genre. This year, we’re blending the worlds of jazz and Hip-Hop and celebrating some of our favorite genre-crossing artists. Plus, we’re bringing you an extra special panel discussion and film series.
This year’s carefully crafted lineup is curated by artist Melanie Charles along with Brice Rosenbloom and BRIC Producer Viviana Benitez.
If you are interested in covering BRIC JazzFest, please submit a media request here.
NIGHT 1 LINEUP | THURSDAY OCT 19, 7PM
NIGHT 2 LINEUP | FRIDAY OCT 20, 7PM
NIGHT 3 LINEUP | SATURDAY OCT 21, 7PM
PLUS: The weekend before BRIC JazzFest, we’re presening a FREE outdoor jazz concert at The Plaza @ 300 Ashland ft. Endea Owens and The Cookout on Sat, Oct. 14! Learn more HERE.
** Come early on Thursday for a special panel discussion exploring the intersection of Jazz & Hip-Hop, featuring BRIC JazzFest Artist Curator Melanie Charles (Make Jazz Trill Again); Marcus J. Moore (The New York Times); writer and culture worker Timmhotep Aku; and BRIC President Wes Jackson. Panel start: 6:15PM. **
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 LINEUP
Terrace Martin
A three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist/producer/multi-instrumentalist from the Crenshaw District, Terrace Martin is renowned as being one of the top jazz musicians in the world and has become a creative engine at the epicenter of LA’s progressive hip-hop scene. His noteworthy production has included major collaborations with Kendrick Lamar (good kid, M.A.A.D. city & the GRAMMY-winning To Pimp a Butterfly), Travis Scott, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock, and many other influential artists. Among the most versatile musicians and producers of his generation, Terrace’s path is leading him in parallel with the greats including Quincy Jones and Dr. Dre, while also launching his vibrant, progressive, genre-crossing record label, Sounds of Crenshaw.
Melanie Charles / Orrin Evans Duo
There are very few artists whose sound can capture the sentiments of a generation. The Brooklyn born and raised, Melanie Charles, is one of these artists. Over the past few decades, she has made a name for herself through dynamic engagements with jazz, soul, and R&B. Her bold genre-bending style has been embraced by a range of artists including Wynton Marsalis, SZA, Mach-Hommy, Gorillaz, and The Roots.
During his kaleidoscopic quarter-century as a professional jazz musician, pianist Orrin Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who pushes the envelope in all directions. Never supported by a major label, Evans has ascended to top-of-the-pyramid stature on his instrument, as affirmed by his #1-ranking as “Rising Star Pianist” in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll. Grammy nominations for the Smoke Sessions albums The Intangible Between and Presence, by Evans’ raucous, risk-friendly Captain Black Big Band, stamp his bona fides as a bandleader and composer. In addition to CBBB, Evans’ multifarious leader and collaborative projects include the Eubanks Evans Experience (a duo with eminent guitarist Kevin Eubanks); the Brazilian unit Terreno Comum; Evans’ working trio with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr.; and Tar Baby (a collective trio of 20 years standing with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits). One of Tar Baby’s two 2022 releases will be released on Evans’ imprint, Imani Records, which he founded in 2001 and relaunched in 2018.
Endea Owens and The Cookout
Recording artist, bassist, and composer Endea Owens has a true passion for philanthropy and teaching. She has taught students across the United States, South America, and Europe. In 2020, Endea founded the Community Cookout, a non-profit organization birthed out of the Covid-19 pandemic that provides meals and music to underserved neighborhoods in New York City. To date, Endea’s organization has helped feed close to 3,000 New Yorkers and has hosted over a dozen free music concerts.
Isaiah Collier
Isaiah Collier is a Chicago/Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, curator, activist, motivational speaker and educator. Collier is most known for his work as a saxophonist, in addition to being a drummer. Collier’s sound and approach is drawn from the influences of master saxophonists such as John Coltrane, Roscoe Mitchell, Wayne Shorter, Ari Brown and Gene Ammons. Collier has shared the stage with many musicians both locally and internationally such as Chance the Rapper, Lewis Nash, Wadada Leo Smith III, Antonio Hart, Junius Paul, James Carter, Rene Marie, Carl Allen, Paul Rogers, Bennie Maupin, Rudy Van Gelder, Angel Bat Dawid and many more.
Alexa Tarantino
In the words of Wynton Marsalis, Alexa Tarantino is a !one-woman wrecking crew, […] an indomitable force for expression, education, and absolute excellence.” Alexa tours worldwide with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and the Alexa Tarantino Quartet. Her records (Firefly, Clarity, Winds of Change) and compositions have consistently topped jazz radio charts, and her discography includes 25+ released recordings as a leader and side woman. Tarantino is in-demand internationally as an energetic and impactful clinician, mentor, and coach and also represents Jazz at Lincoln Center as a visiting educator for various programs with students of all ages and levels. She holds a master”s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and bachelor”s degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education with a certificate in Arts Leadership from the Eastman School of Music. Alexa is Founder and Artistic Director of the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop in Rockport, Massachusetts (est. 2014). Alexa Tarantino is a Vandoren Artist, a Yamaha Performing Artist, and endorses BAM Instrument Cases.
Panikkar Rosner & Leigh
Panikkar Rosner & Leigh is a bebop and post bop centric jazz octet featuring 3 vocalists in the instrumental vocal style of Lambert Hendricks & Ross. What started as a improvisation group class at The New School for Jazz, under the tutelage of the great bassist Reggie Workman, has developed into a powerful ensemble that delivers a hi-octane performance that recognizes both the directions jazz can take when instruments and vocals are allowed to interact and the tradition of the music before.
BRIC House is Brooklyn’s cultural living room: a 40,000 square foot multi-disciplinary arts and media complex where emerging and established artists can create work that deepens their practice and engages the diverse communities of the borough.
COVID-19 policy: Attendees of any BRIC House programming do not have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter the building. Masks are encouraged but not required in all BRIC operated spaces. To learn more, visit:
BRIC IS COMMITTED TO WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES
The main floor of BRIC House has an accessible entrance on Rockwell Place, in addition to an accessible, all-gender bathroom. The BRIC Media Center, located on the 2nd floor, is accessible via elevator. The Gallery level is accessible via a wheelchair lift. Portable FM assistive listening devices are available for programs on the Stoop and in the Ballroom upon request. To make a specific access request, or to let us know other ways we can provide you with a welcoming experience, please contact Benno Orlinsky at [email protected] or (718) 683-5637.
BRIC JazzFest
One of BRIC’s premiere performing arts programs, JazzFest is an acclaimed marathon Jazz music festival that brings together legendary figures, groundbreaking artists and newcomers from across the genre.
