Photo by Angelys Ocana
BRIC JazzFest Presenting Sponsor:
The Brooklyn Poetry Slam will expand BRIC JazzFest to another dimension, with Brooklyn’s best slam poets for a gathering of words, wisdom, and music to highlight the crisscrossing influences and beats of jazz, poetry, and hip hop. Hosted by poet, activist, and educator Mahogany L. Browne and with music by DJ Jive Poetic, this edition will feature a special performance of improvised music and poetry with bassist Max Michael Jacob and poet Cyrus Aaron, followed by the Slam and an Open Mic.
PLEASE NOTE:
* Entry to this event is first come, first admitted, while space is available. Although it is preferred, you do NOT need an RSVP to attend this event.
* This event is General Admission Seated in the BRIC House Ballroom.
* Events are open to all ages, but may include adult themes and language.
Now celebrating its fifth year, Brooklyn's ultimate jazz festival will take place October 19-26, featuring music, film, poetry, and a three-night, three-stage live music marathon with overlapping sets by global legends, groundbreaking artists, and exciting newcomers to jazz.
The BRIC JazzFest Music Marathon will take place Thursday-Saturday, October 24-26, featuring performances by more than 20 artists including headliners Ravi Coltrane (quartet); Georgia Anne Muldrow; and Joe Russo, Ben Perowsky, Josh Kaufman & Stuart Bogie : BOYFRIENDS.
BIOS:
Mahogany L. Browne is a writer, organizer, and educator. Interim Executive Director of Urban Word NYC & Poetry Coordinator at St. Francis College, Browne has received fellowships from Agnes Gund, Air Serenbe, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research & Rauschenberg. She is the author of Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice, Woke Baby & Black Girl Magic (Macmillan), Kissing Caskets (Yes Yes Books) & Dear Twitter (Penmanship Books). She is also the founder of Woke Baby Book Fair (a nationwide diversity literature campaign) & as an Arts for Justice grantee, is completing her first book of essays on mass incarceration's, investigating its impact on women and children.
Jive Poetic is a writer, organizer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He received his BA in Media Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MFA in Writing and Activism from Pratt Institute. In 2017 Jive was the first recipient of the John Morning Award for Art and Service. He is the founder of Insurgent Poets Society, Carnival Slam: Cultural Exchange, and co-founder of the Brooklyn Poetry Slam. His work has been showcased on season four of TVONE’s Lexus Verses and Flow, PBS News Hour, and BET. International recognition and support for his work has come from the British Arts Council; US Embassies in Australia, Brazil, and Poland; and the Minister Of Culture in Antigua and Barbuda. When he is not on tour or hosting, he teaches poetry and hip – hop workshops to at risk youth in New York City and the surrounding area.
Cyrus Aaron is a Brooklyn based creative writer, playwright and poet. In 2016, Aaron wrote and produced his first original play about the psychological plight of bias and conventional racism. Aaron’s theatrical debut made a resonating impression and with his unique voice as a storyteller the Chicago Native has been commissioned and covered across industries and mediums. His features and commissions include VICE, HBO, YAHOO, iHEART, PYER MOSS, MACY’S, and ELLE, among others. When he’s not writing, Aaron performs live music sets with sonic collective THE BLK HRS, and leads a social empowerment campaign for America’s youth.
Max Michael Jacob is the co-founder, executive director, and bassist of the conductorless string ensemble Shattered Glass. Mr. Jacob earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Metropolitan Opera bassist Jeremy McCoy. He has gone on to tour Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Australia, Canada, and most states in the US with various ensembles. Doubling on electric bass, Jacob has performed with Talib Kweli and Pumpkinhead. He currently performs and tours with Zusha as bassist and music director. As an active composer/arranger, he has had string arrangement commissions from Kinetics & One Love, Vita Chambers, and Zusha. He has also been a faculty member for the Manhattan School of Music’s Summer Program for five years.
Venue Information:
A flexible performance space that accommodates a wide variety of configurations and performance styles. Located on the first floor of BRIC House. Visit our Accessibility page to learn more about access at BRIC.
Beginning Nov. 1, 2022, attendees of any BRIC House programming will no longer 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. If you have questions regarding this protocol, please email Safety@bricartsmedia.org