All Of It — NYC Winter Jazzfest and a Tribute to The East

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guests: Marcus J. Moore (Co-curator), Basir Amchawi (WBAI, former Black News editor), Luke Stewart, Aquiles Navarro & Chisera Holmes (Irreversible Entanglements)
Air Date: January 10, 2024

Overview

This episode explores the NYC Winter Jazzfest’s focus on “The East,” a legendary Black cultural and educational center in Brooklyn (1969–mid-1980s), and the interweaving of jazz, community, and Black history in the city. The conversation traces the impact and ethos of The East, highlights events at this year’s Jazzfest that honor its legacy, and draws links between past and present musical activism and creativity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The East: History & Significance

• What was The East?

  • Black-run, community-centric cultural and educational center in Brooklyn.
  • Hosted legendary jazz musicians and ran the largest independent Black school at that time (Uhuru Sasa, meaning “Freedom Now”).
  • Functioned as a hub for activism, self-determination, and community building.

• Basir Amchawi’s reflections:

  • “There were the beginnings of a real community…we wanted to be part of that particular community. And now, of course, the east is legendary. I was involved in so many different levels. First from just being enthralled by the experience…and then actually committing myself to actually be a part of the institution and attempting to try to make the institution more relevant to the community.” (04:47–07:21)

  • The East didn’t just celebrate culture, but saw education, music, and community as inseparable.

  • “You couldn’t really separate them. They were literally the same.” (07:35)

2. The Legacy in Today’s Jazz Community

• Why focus on The East at Winter Jazzfest? (Marcus J. Moore):

  • Many classic jazz albums were recorded “Live at the East.”

  • Moore describes his personal connection: “A lot of my ideas, and this one, too, came about from me just walking around playing an East record on headphones. And I was like, huh, that's kind of interesting.” (03:16–04:01)

  • Wanted to celebrate and reinterpret, not merely replicate, the legacy — “use those records as a springboard towards something different.”

  • A Night at The East concert:

    • Features both veteran and new-generation artists to bridge tradition and innovation.
    • The intention: not just nostalgia, but reigniting the community energy and activism of the original East.

3. Musical Performance & Philosophy (Irreversible Entanglements)

• On being influenced by The East:

  • Luke Stewart: “All of us have been influenced by that cultural movement that the East was fermenting...We all have deep influences and deep development in these kinds of spaces...as artists and poets, we all represent our own histories, and we bring that through with the music, with the strong influence from institutions like the East.” (09:00–10:12)
  • Aquiles Navarro extends: These kinds of institutions create “upliftment…spiritually, intellectually, socially, and politically.”

• Live In-Studio Performance

  • Irreversible Entanglements perform an original piece honoring this lineage. (11:52–17:50)

4. The Philosophy of Community and Participation

• Atmosphere at The East:
  • Basir Amchawi: “It was a symbiotic relationship...the audience...were part of the performance...That comes out in an album like Pharaoh Alive at the East.” (20:25)
  • The distinction: involvement over passive consumption—a model of “active, not passive, cultural engagement.”

5. Mythology, Lost History, and Correcting the Record

• Basir Amchawi on myth vs. reality:
  • Many claim the legacy, but not all were truly there.
  • Much of the story is missing from “official” histories: “There are 8 million stories of the Naked City. This has been one of them. The [East] is one story. And we have to tell so many more stories.” (21:35–23:55)
• Documenting and preserving:
  • Recent efforts, like the documentary “The Sun Rises in The East,” a new book of essays, and anniversary celebrations, are attempts to reclaim and broaden that impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marcus J. Moore

  • “I just wanted to make sure that the show, the music, had everything that people don't necessarily know about…always like to give people something they probably didn't know that they needed until they got it.” (18:38)
  • “I just want it to be inspirational for people who are going to attend.” (19:56)

• Basir Amchawi

  • “The east was said to be a educational and cultural center for people of African descent. And we intended to go ahead and do that in so many different kinds of ways.” (07:52)
  • “We've got some work to do in regards to putting forward some of the real, real history.” (22:32)

• Luke Stewart

  • “[The East] really influenced all of us, not just musically, but in our work as organizers and community members.” (09:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34] Show opens; Alison Stewart introduces Winter Jazzfest and “The East” theme
• [03:00] Marcus J. Moore introduces his relationship to The East and the tribute concert concept
• [04:47] Basir Amchawi details personal journey into The East, its formation, and vision
• [09:00] Musicians discuss the East’s legacy and role in their own artistry
• [11:52] In-studio performance by Irreversible Entanglements
• [17:50] Reflections after performance, deeper dive into planning the tribute concert
• [18:38] Marcus J. Moore on intentions and inspirations behind concert curation
• [20:25] Basir Amchawi illuminates the unique atmosphere and participatory experience of The East
• [21:35] Myths, omissions, and the ongoing project of historical preservation
• [24:35] Overview of upcoming Winter Jazzfest events and panel/concert specifics
• [26:23] Musical play-out: closing live music from the guests

Event Info Shared (for context)

• Panel: Saturday Jan 13, 4 PM, “Live at the East: The Meaningful Music of a Brooklyn Community”
• Concert: Sunday Jan 14, 8 PM, “A Night at The East”
• Winter Jazzfest: Runs Jan 10–18, 2024

In Summary

This episode of “All Of It” offers a vibrant look at the living history of New York’s jazz scene, anchored in the legacy of The East. Guests recall personal and collective activist journeys, the powerful melding of art and community development, and the urgency of remembering and reviving lost or hidden Black histories. The performances and conversations bridge past and present, inviting listeners not only to attend but to become part of the next chapter of this cultural continuum.