Nas’ Father Honored At Gala In New York

Nas’ father Olu Dara will give an exclusive performance during an invitation-only gala inaugurating a new exhibition titled the “Harlem is Music” series at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

 

Dara, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and lyricist, is being honored along with the late Max Roach, a master jazz percussionist.

 

In addition to Dara and his band the Natchezsippi Dance Band, the evening will feature performances by The Jitterbug Kids, The Cotton Club Dancers and 2008’s Best Song Oscar nominee, Impact Repertory Theatre.

 

The evening also celebrates the legacy of legendary Harlem nightclubs like The Cotton Club, Lenox Lounge, Minton’s Playhouse, St. Nick’s Pub and Showman’s.

 

The “Harlem is…Music” event is sponsored by Community Works, a leading arts-education organization founded by Barbara Horowitz in 1990.

 

The exhibit engages teens from 10 partner public schools in Harlem, who conduct research and documentation on the project.

 

The worlds contribute to the public art exhibition during the evening, which also commemorates Harlem’s rich, creative contributions to the world. Dara, who played coronet on his son Nas’ classic song “Life’s a B**ch” and is also featured on “Bridging the Gap,” from Nas album Street’s Disciple.

 

The event starts at 6:00 PM at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard at 135th Street.