Invisible Jazz Giants Of The 20th Century

The Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman jazz trio/quartet celebrates the timeless works of Jewish, Black, Women, and Queer luminaries whose impact on jazz and popular culture in the 2nd half of the 20th century was profound and unmistakable. Yet in order to make a living in an industry that reflected the structural racism, antisemitism, sexism, and homophobia that gripped the nation, many of these legends had to become invisible. For instance, Hyman Arluck, who underwent a name change to find work, wrote countless American classics including “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and Ernie Washington, who most have never heard of, was actually the alias used by the great Thelonious Monk — Monk was forced to perform in secret after his cabaret card (a performers license implemented by the NYPD to justify the increase of policing in Harlem) was revoked. In a discussion of the lives and in his arrangements of the musical works of these invisible giants in jazz, Gabriel’s quartet brings to the limelight a part of American history that, like its players, has struggled to be seen. Joining Gabriel's group is Langston Hughes II who has toured alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.