Afro American Sketches - The Jazz Loft @ Southampton
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 7:00 pm
A sweeping jazz journey from Africa to America—Afro/American Sketches tells a story of struggle, resilience, and hope that resonates across generations.”
Afro American Sketches presents Oliver Nelson’s landmark 1961 composition Afro/American Sketches, a profound musical narrative tracing the African American experience through history, memory, and aspiration. Inspired by Nelson’s study of the musical traditions of nearly 200 African tribes, this seven-movement work unfolds as a deeply expressive journey.
Beginning on the African continent, the suite moves through the trauma of enslavement, moments of rediscovered freedom, and the enduring pain of social oppression, before ultimately looking forward with optimism toward a future grounded in equality and justice. Rich orchestration, soulful melodies, and emotionally charged improvisation give voice to each chapter of this story.
One of jazz’s most ambitious and meaningful large-ensemble works, Afro/American Sketches speaks with both historical depth and timeless relevance, inviting listeners to experience history not as distant memory but as a living force that continues to shape the present. At once cinematic, reflective, and hopeful, this concert connects generations—using the language of jazz to honor resilience, confront injustice, and imagine a more inclusive future.
A sweeping jazz journey from Africa to America—Afro/American Sketches tells a story of struggle, resilience, and hope that resonates across generations.”
Afro American Sketches presents Oliver Nelson’s landmark 1961 composition Afro/American Sketches, a profound musical narrative tracing the African American experience through history, memory, and aspiration. Inspired by Nelson’s study of the musical traditions of nearly 200 African tribes, this seven-movement work unfolds as a deeply expressive journey.
Beginning on the African continent, the suite moves through the trauma of enslavement, moments of rediscovered freedom, and the enduring pain of social oppression, before ultimately looking forward with optimism toward a future grounded in equality and justice. Rich orchestration, soulful melodies, and emotionally charged improvisation give voice to each chapter of this story.
One of jazz’s most ambitious and meaningful large-ensemble works, Afro/American Sketches speaks with both historical depth and timeless relevance, inviting listeners to experience history not as distant memory but as a living force that continues to shape the present. At once cinematic, reflective, and hopeful, this concert connects generations—using the language of jazz to honor resilience, confront injustice, and imagine a more inclusive future.