All of these people kept on being professional musicians and composers in the strictest sense.

Gifted women musicians and composers rarely received their due.

It was about finding creative, original musicians. Musicians who are strong composers. Flexible, empathetic musicians, who are great individually but who also have a great sense for cooperation and collaboration, great listeners as well as great players.

None of these worlds was incompatible. All of these people were around, and if you were at all interested in painting, poetry, or dance, you met them.

People would use each other in their works. The barriers were breaking down; everyone brought in special qualities.

Most of the music we will be performing is by major black jazz musicians and composers.