Featuring poetry and songs advocating for equality and justice during the Civil Rights era, the 1960 album We Insist! Freedom Now was the first (overtly) political jazz long-playing record. And at this performance of a similar name: “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite: 2016,” audiences will hear the same politically-inspired music and poetry, but with current events at the center of each piece. Dr. Anthony Brown’s Grammy-nominated Asian American Orchestra revisits this landmark album’s music for “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite: 2016,” to share the timeless message of social and racial justice as it pertains to today’s #BlackLivesMatter Movement and anti-Muslim violence.

Between the two performances, at 6:00 p.m. in Gallery 308, join a free discussion by Dr. Anthony Brown, lyricst/vocalist Amikaeyla Gaston and poet Genny Lim discuss the historic significance of the original We Insist! Freedom Now album created by composer Max Roach and lyricist Oscar Brown Jr. and why the work has a continued relevance and importance in the United States and globally over half a century later.

These performances by Asian American Orchestra are hosted by Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture as part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival, which runs from May 19 – June 5 exclusively at FMCAC. The Festival features over 100 performances by 50 different ensembles, as well as an expansive arts exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Dada Movement. Get discounts on tickets to see multiple shows at the Festival by buying a Festival pass. More details HERE.