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7th Annual Festival at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center Celebrates Jazz & Recognizes African Diaspora Through Work of Award-Winning Musicians & Artists
The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center presents the 7th Annual Sankofa Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Headlining the family-friendly, celebratory event is the Christian Sands Trio, led by six-time GRAMMY nominee jazz pianist Christian Sands.
The Sankofa Jazz Festival highlights the diversity and vitality of the arts that have arisen from the African diaspora and showcases both local and emerging artists that embody the spirit of African heritage jazz artists. The accomplished Christian Sands Trio will highlight their wide repertoire, which draws from historic and contemporary sources, and will perform rousing reprises and selections from Sands’ album Be Water.
Reflecting on his inspiration for the Grammy-nominated work, Sands noted, “It’s ubiquitous […] yet somehow intangible, able to change form or assume the shape of its surroundings.” The Trio’s performances underscore Sands’ inspiration, as well as his dedication to be “more open, more free [and] more flexible.”
The Festival will also feature Melton Mustafa, Jr., “Mustafa on Sax,” a two-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist and educator, in addition to Aniye Strachan, Robert Bradley, Arnitris Williams, Luis Disla, John Dixon, and HOT 105’s Rodney Baltimore.
“The Sankofa Jazz Festival celebrates the rich history of the African diaspora,” said Marshall L. Davis, the Center’s Managing Director. “This family-friendly event embodies African pride and culture, introducing our public to established and rising talent. This is not only an opportunity for our community to reconnect, but to share an appreciation for music that draws from jazz music traditions.”
The namesake of the Festival is the mythical “Sankofa” bird from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The Sankofa bird’s feet face forward, and its head tilts back, symbolizing the past’s vital role in moving towards the future with purpose.
“The Sankofa bird symbolizes the strength, hope, and wisdom of the African people,” added Marshall. “It brings to mind our collective future, and the timelessness of music is the perfect medium to illustrate the power of many.”
The Festival will also feature a gallery exhibit, local art for purchase, and food vendors. The gallery exhibit, titled “We The People,” honors prolific late Miami muralist, Oscar Thomas, on the 25th anniversary of his passing. The exhibit features three decades of Thomas’s work, a photography collection of his murals, and never-before-seen videos, in addition to a tribute showcase that highlights local and international talent inspired by Thomas’s legacy. The show will run through June 5.
The Festival is recommended for all ages. Tickets will be sold via Eventbrite until 6 p.m. the day of or until sold out. General admission and reserved seating tickets are available for $25-$45. VIP tickets are $75 and include reserved seating within the first four rows, reserved parking, and complimentary food and beverage.
For event inquiries, contact Meieli Sawyer at (305) 668-0070 or msawyer@weinbachgroup.com. For information, visit AHCACMiami.org.
About the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
Part of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center was founded in 1975 to serve as the nesting ground for emerging talent in the performing and visual arts in the heart of Liberty City. By providing quality instruction, inspiration, and encouragement to young people within the community, the Center has fulfilled its mission for more than 40 years, and everyday creates a means for youth to discover their artistic talents. Visit www.ahcacmiami.org and follow on social media @ahcacmiami and #AHCAC.
About the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity, access, and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium, and the Tourist Development Council. For information visit www.miamidadearts.org.
