Join us at the Walt Disney Concert Hall for an unforgettable evening with Jason Moran & The Big Bandwagon, as they present "James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield." This special performance is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024, at 8:00 PM.

Celebrated by Rolling Stone as "the most provocative thinker in current jazz," Jason Moran pays homage to the iconic Black composer and ragtime pioneer, James Reese Europe. Europe, a World War I hero, along with his military ensemble, the Harlem Hellfighters, played a pivotal role in popularizing jazz in France during the war and significantly influenced African American music over the past century amidst cultural and political shifts.

Moran, alongside his Bandwagon bandmates—bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits—and a seven-piece horn section, will delve into the legacy of James Reese Europe. The performance will be enriched with contributions from artist/writer/director John Akomfrah and visuals from acclaimed cinematographer Bradford Young, offering a powerful examination of Europe's impact on music and culture.

This event is part of the Jazz JZ1 Series, which also features performances by Samara Joy on February 07, 2025, Herbie Hancock on March 30, 2025, Patrice Rushen on May 02, 2025, and more. Don't miss this extraordinary night of music that the Washington Post has described as a testament to Jason Moran's "stunningly and profoundly original" talent.

Tickets are available now but subject to change, and all sales are final. Ensure your spot in this journey through jazz history and its profound legacy.

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Jason Moran & The Big Bandwagon

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Pianist and composer Jason Moran is a risk-taker and trendsetter for new directions in jazz. In his program James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield, he reflects on the legacy of an often-forgotten hero of Black music: ragtime pioneer and World War I hero James Reese Europe. Europe and his military ensemble the Harlem Hellfighters popularized the new spirit of jazz in a war-torn French nation fascinated with Black culture. And that’s only the beginning of their story—their legacy has had an extraordinary impact on African American music over the past century of cultural and political change.

Brilliant pianist, composer, and multimedia artist Jason Moran turns his boundless creativity and curiosity to a celebration of the life of often-overlooked African American musical pioneer James Reese Europe, credited with introducing jazz music to the European continent during World War I. Moran will share archival photos, recordings, and original multimedia creations to help build his musical monument to a truly transformational artist.

John Akomfrah

Events

Past events

Oct 11, 2024

Jason Moran & The Big Bandwagon · Los Angeles Philharmonic

Oct 11, 2024

Jason Moran & The Big Bandwagon · The Music Center

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