Center for the Arts

John Coltrane: Jubilee Songs and Expressions of Freedom

A discussion with Myran Parker-Brass (Executive Director for the Arts in the Boston Public Schools and co-founder of the New England Spiritual Ensemble), and Leonard Brown (co-founder and co-producer of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert, associate professor of Music and African American Studies at Northeastern University). Introductions by Emmett G. Price III (co-producer of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert and associate professor of Music at Northeastern University).

Presented by: Northeastern Center for the Arts and Friends of John Coltrane Memorial Concert

Feature photo by Bruce Hamilton

Seating is Limited. RSVP is required. Any unclaimed seats will be released a

Myran Parker-Brass

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Myran Parker-Brass is co-founder of the New England Spiritual Ensemble. Moving comfortably between classical, jazz and gospel genres her professional career has included concerts across the U.S., Europe and South America. Ms. Parker-Brass has appeared as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and her jazz performances earned her the “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” award at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. Ms. Parker-Brass is the Executive Director for the Arts, Boston Public Schools, and on any given Sunday can be found directing the choir at Myrtle Baptist Church. She is married to Kenneth Brass and they are the parents of Kristen Brass.

Emmett G. Price III

Prof. Emmett G. Price III is an associate professor of music. Formerly the chair of the Department of African American Studies (2008-2012) at Northeastern University, Dr. Price is one of the nation’s leading experts on African American Music and Culture as well as cutting edge research on bridging the generational divide. A well regarded musician, educator, speaker and consultant, Dr. Price actively researches, lectures and writes about African American Music with a focus on social, political, economic, cultural and religious analysis. He is a noted print and broadcast media expert on African American Music and Culture, The Black Church, Hip Hop Culture and Youth Culture. Dr. Price is also a widely sought after motivational speaker to youth and young professionals as well as to corporations and non profits engaging youth and young professionals.

Leonard Brown

Leonard Brown is a professional musician (saxophonist, composer, and arranger), teacher, ethnomusicologist and specialist in multicultural education. During his almost four decades as a performing musician, he has appeared with many outstanding artists including Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, George Russell, Bill Barron, Yusef Lateef, Alan Dawson, and Ed Blackwell. He has performed nationally and internationally and is co-founder and producer of Boston’s annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert (www.jcmc.neu.edu). Established in 1977, this annual performance tribute to Coltrane’s musical and spiritual legacy is the oldest event of its kind in the world. Brown is an associate professor at Northeastern University in Boston with a joint appointment in the Music and African American Studies Departments. He is co-director of the Afro-Caribbean Music Research Project and has served as chair of African American Studies and head advisor for Music.