By Mike Hricik, Collegian Staff Writer
Jazz giants like saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and
renowned poet Quincy Troupe brought the funk to, of all places, the HUB-Robeson
Center on Wednesday night to celebrate African-American music’s heritage.
Bluiett, Troupe, a DJ, a hip-hop dancer,
rappers and other groups gathered for the Tribute to the Influence of African
and African American Music, Art, Literature and Dance festival.
About 70 people gathered in the HUB-Robeson
Center’s Heritage Hall in what many attendees considered the main draw of this
week’s festival, organized by the Penn State Jazz Club and funded by the
University Park Allocation Committee.
“[Bluiett and Troupe] are some heavy, heavy
hitters,” Matt Bugaj, a former officer of the Penn State Jazz Club, said.
Flanked by a faux urban skyline and elaborate
lighting set-up, other artists for the evening included Harriet Tubman: The
Band, guitarist Kelvyn Bell, bassist Nimrod Speaks, percussionist Eli
Fountainand Penn State Professor of Integrative Arts Ronnie Burrage on drums.
Multi-instrumentalist Bluiett, considered one
of the foremost avant-garde jazz baritone saxophonists of his generation,
performed solos of extreme range beneath Troupe’s introspective rhymes.
Infusing funk, blues and foundation, his solos
drew the largest audience responses from a mostly subdued crowd during the
night.
Troupe, a poet famous for his sporadically
syncopated style and work on Miles Davis’ autobiography, slyly waxed on the
nature of art and culture, backed by his professional band.
“We suffer because we must. There is no other
way to find beauty,” he said, in a near-trance.
At one point, RAM Squad Vice President Quilan
Arnold (junior-integrative arts) joined the band backing up Troupe with
interpretive hip-hop dance.
Yaayaa Hunt, one of the evening’s mistress of
ceremonies, said she appreciated the opportunity for African American
dedication.
“I’ve learned that music has always been a
facilitator for our culture,” Hunt (freshman-public relations) said.
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