Harlem Stage Presents CECIL TAYLOR: A CELEBRATION OF THE MAESTRO, Now thru 5/22

Legendary pianist and poet Cecil Taylor is one of the greatest improvisers in the history of modern jazz. Since the first performances of his quartet at the Five Spot Cafe in 1956, he has unflinchingly and tirelessly worked to define a sound that is still light years ahead of its time. His playing has been called fierce, constructivist, percussive, and atonal. We call it a thing of beauty, an expression of pure genius.

Harlem Stage and the ISSUE Project Room, in association with Columbia University and the Anthology Film Archives, present Cecil Taylor: A Celebration of the Maestro, May 8-22. This unique celebration of the great maestro, Cecil Taylor, features a range of performances, readings, conversations and screenings as well as two extremely rare performances by Cecil Taylor himself.

Celebrating Cecil at Harlem Stage
Featuring pianists Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn and Amina Claudine Myers, and special guest Amiri Baraka
Tue & Wed, May 8 & 9, 8:00 PM at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse / $10

Three of the day's celebrated pianists will honor the uncompromising creative force of Cecil Taylor in an evening of solos and duos for piano, with a special performance of poetry by Amiri Baraka.
Dig Deeper on Wednesday night with a post- performance discussion – “Decoding Cecil” – with George E. Lewis and the artists.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Celebrating Cecil at Harlem Stage is presented as part of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, an annual festival produced by Harlem Stage, The Apollo and Jazzmobile.

Celebrating Cecil at ISSUE Project Room
Featuring Thollem McDonas and Arrington de Dionyso and The William Hooker Ensemble
Wed, May 16, 8:00 PM at ISSUE Project Room / $15 / $12 for ISSUE members