Big Jam

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Central Park, NYC, 1972

(Note: These video clips do not contain audio.)

This film was produced by Karma Stanley and Juma Sultan for the New York Musicians Organization.

This July 10, 1972 concert was the culmination of the first New York Musicians Jazz Festival.

Among the many participants, we have identified the following:

Art Lewis
Ali Abuwi
Juice (Alan Glover)
Barry Altschul
Ted Daniel
Steve Reid
Sam Brown
Joe Lee Wilson
Earl Cross
Sam Rivers
Jeanne Lee
Juma Sultan
Frank Lowe
Harold Smith
Art Jenkins
Noah Howard
Arthur Doyle

The New York Times review of this concert said, “For 31 minutes last night the Central Park Mall was the scene of one of the most energetic and musically challenging jazz performances heard here recently.”

It was a “free jam session that seemed to express in music the freedom the musicians have stated they are seeking from conventional jazz promoters.”

“…The audience of young people seemed to understand exactly what the musicians were saying as they shouted encouragement, whistled and finally gave the performers a standing ovation.” (Les Ledbetter, NYT, 7/11/72)

While we have not yet found the audio recording of the concert, Juma does believe it will be found in his collection.