Master flautist will present a program on jazz music and civil rights

ADRIAN – A musical performance as well as a historical overview of the impact of jazz music on the civil rights movement in the United States will be presented virtually to the public on Monday by the Adrian District Library.

Professional flautist and music educator Galen Abdur-Razzaq will lead Monday’s virtual program, starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required so viewers can receive the link to the program. To register, visit www.adrian.lib.mi.us or call the library at 517-265-2265. Once registered, the invitation to access the program will be sent by email on Monday afternoon.

An Adrian’s District Library card is not required for registration

Abdur-Razzaq, a native of Montclair, New Jersey, is described as a master flautist, according to a library press release. He holds a Masters in Education and Performing Arts from Rutgers University. For more than three decades, he has spoken on the subject of jazz music and performed at colleges and universities across the country.

As part of Monday’s program, Abdur-Razzaq will lead with a flute performance followed by a presentation in which he will highlight the historical influence of jazz music on the civil rights movement in the United States.

“It is Abdur-Razzaq’s intention that listeners enjoy jazz, as well as its significance throughout history,” the statement read.

Programs are designed with an emphasis on jazz history, women in jazz and the elements of jazz as well as a comprehensive understanding of musicology, according to Abdur-Razzaq’s production company, Flute Juice Productions. .

“The primary goal is to provide students with an understanding and appreciation of this art form, its cultural context and historical significance,” Flute Juice Productions said. “Notably, jazz has been an instrument of expression during some of the most difficult times in American history and is also seen as an important avenue to a greater appreciation of music in general.”