Events

In-person event | 6:30 p.m. (Paris)

Join us in celebrating Black History Month with a special screening of "Fighting for Respect" followed by a live concert. 

"Fighting For Respect: African Americans in WWI" tells a compelling story of the African American soldiers who fought for democracy abroad in segregated US Army troops.

Convinced that their much-praised heroism overseas would translate to civil rights at home, the returning veterans and their communities instead became the target of unspeakable violence waged by white supremacists during the fiery Red Summer of 1919.

The complexity of this gripping story is retold through rare archival film footage, letters written home from the Front, and incisive commentary from academic experts. In addition, the focus on the experiences of several distinguished soldiers provides thought-provoking insight as to how African American participation abroad advanced the fight for equality, respect, and freedom in the United States.

The film screening will be followed by a live concert featuring bassist Darryl Hall, vocalist Leslie Lewis, and pianist Vincent Bourgeyx.

JAZZ ARTISTS:

Darryl Hall is an American jazz bassist who has lived in France since 2004. Previously, he lived in New York for twelve years where he participated with some of the world’s greatest artists. He performs many different genres of jazz and participates in many different kinds of projects with artists from the U.S. and Europe, traveling around the globe. While in New York, Darryl performed with many jazz luminaries including Mulgrew Miller, Carmen Lundy, Hank Jones, Mary Stallings, Geri Allen, James Williams, Stefon Harris, Regina Carter, Ravi Coltrane, and Robert Glasper, among others. In 1996 he was the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition. Living in France since 2004, he has performed with many European and American artists throughout Europe, including Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Martial Solal, Cedar Walton, Archie Shepp, George Cables, Carmen Lundy, Uri Caine, Dianne Reeves, Didier Lockwood, Christian Escoude, Florin Nicolescu, Ximo Tebar, Dado Moroni, Laurent de Wilde, and many more.

After living in Los Angeles for many years, jazz vocalist Leslie Lewis followed a dream and relocated to Paris. As a
soloist she has recorded five CD's which have received critical acclaim as well as international radio airplay. Leslie’s tours have taken her to Europe, Asia, Africa and throughout the U.S. including venues in New York, London, Paris, Toyko, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Leslie has been the featured vocalist with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony, Jazz Tap Ensemble and she has performed with members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.Additionally she has performed with John Bunch, Harry Allen, Joe Wilder, Rhoda Scott, Gary Foster, Patrice Rushen, and Howlett Smith.

Vincent Bourgeyx was born in Bordeaux and began studying the piano when he was seven. After studying at the Berklee College of Music, he became an active member of the New York music scene, taught piano at the Koyo Conservatory in Kobe, Japan, and participated in master classes at the Berklee College of music with Jane Ira Bloom, and at the international association of jazz educators in 1998 and 2001. Since returning to France in the early 200s, Vincent has performed with leading French musicians and won a soloist prize at the jazz competition of La Défense in 2003. He has also composed film music, notably that of the 1939 silent movie Blackmail, by Alfred Hitchcock. His 6th album as a leader with Matt Penman, Obed Calvaire and David Prez is out on the Freshsounds record label.