The Gathering 15th Anniversary Fund
Donation protected
The Gathering Project
We are seeking some help putting together upcoming virtual events and digital audio releases for the 15th Anniversary of The Gathering, with rewards for contributors of $10 and up. On October 10, 2005 composer and bandleader Jesse Sharps brought together members of Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra along with local, established and up-and-coming young players for a historic recording session and summit of progressive Los Angeles jazz. Thomas Paige has been working with Jesse since the beginning, co-producing the recordings and releases from that session and more, as well as producing a documentary film on the project, called The Gathering: Roots & Branches of Los Angeles Jazz. The film features a stellar cast of players, including some of the hottest emerging talents from the area. It focuses on the Leimert Park district and progressive jazz scene of Los Angeles, covering the history of the music and the long tradition of community elders guiding the young, up and coming players on the scene. It features some extraordinary performances by local legends Azar Lawrence, Dwight Trible, Kamau Daáood, Michael Session, Ndugu Chancler and Phil Ranelin along with rising stars Brandon Coleman, Kamasi Washington, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Randal Fisher. The film is currently on a festival circuit run with screenings at the Maine International Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, with more to come.
Supporting the Anniversary Events
October 10th, 2020 will mark the 15th anniversary of the recording session and summit that kicked off The Gathering. This year The Gathering is performing at the 2020 Angel City Jazz Festival and the film will be available for streaming to those that attend the online concert experience. Preparing the band to perform and prepping for a virtual screening in an event like this requires a lot work and rehearsals, both of which have expenses. In addition Jesse has put together a special group to represent this occasion and the musicians, many of whom have not been getting a lot of work due to the current pandemic, are stepping up to participate at a set group rate.
A special release of “Freedom’s Sweet” by Horace Tapscott, is also in the works. This song is featured in the film and was written sometime after the riots in the 1960’s and recorded by The Gathering in 2015 at the Mayme Clayton Library Concert. It features a wonderful and timely spoken word introduction by Kamau Daáood, powerful vocals by Maia, and an exceptional extended performance of the band including solos by Fundi Legohn, Mercedes “Laray” Smith, Roberto Miranda, and Fritz Wise. The release will include the full 24 minute version of “Freedom’s Sweet” plus an abbreviated version, and a video component.
We are seeking some funds to help cover the cost of rehearsals, gets some extra money for the musicians, help with preparing the film to stream online at the festival, as well as mix the special recording of “Freedom’s Sweet.”
It’s not a band it’s a movement! - Jesse Sharps (Film still from The Gathering: Roots & Branches of Los Angeles Jazz)
Rewards
We are offering a new CD-quality, digital release of the anniversary edition of The Gathering: Leimert Park album from the recording session back in 2005 to those that donate $10 or more as well as the upcoming release of "Freedom's Sweet" when it is completed. For a simple $10 donation this is actually quite a deal and you can gift the downloads as well. Visit The Gathering’s Bandcamp page to preview the album and other recordings.
By contributing to this fund you will be directly supporting the musicians, the film, and this rich history of community art and music.
Other ways to help?
- Share this campaign with friends.
- Stream The Gathering performance video from the 2019 Maine International Film Festival. You can watch from anywhere!
- Subscribe for updates on this campaign and future Gathering events here .
Visit The Gathering website for more information.
Thank you for your support!
We are seeking some help putting together upcoming virtual events and digital audio releases for the 15th Anniversary of The Gathering, with rewards for contributors of $10 and up. On October 10, 2005 composer and bandleader Jesse Sharps brought together members of Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra along with local, established and up-and-coming young players for a historic recording session and summit of progressive Los Angeles jazz. Thomas Paige has been working with Jesse since the beginning, co-producing the recordings and releases from that session and more, as well as producing a documentary film on the project, called The Gathering: Roots & Branches of Los Angeles Jazz. The film features a stellar cast of players, including some of the hottest emerging talents from the area. It focuses on the Leimert Park district and progressive jazz scene of Los Angeles, covering the history of the music and the long tradition of community elders guiding the young, up and coming players on the scene. It features some extraordinary performances by local legends Azar Lawrence, Dwight Trible, Kamau Daáood, Michael Session, Ndugu Chancler and Phil Ranelin along with rising stars Brandon Coleman, Kamasi Washington, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Randal Fisher. The film is currently on a festival circuit run with screenings at the Maine International Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, with more to come.
Supporting the Anniversary Events
October 10th, 2020 will mark the 15th anniversary of the recording session and summit that kicked off The Gathering. This year The Gathering is performing at the 2020 Angel City Jazz Festival and the film will be available for streaming to those that attend the online concert experience. Preparing the band to perform and prepping for a virtual screening in an event like this requires a lot work and rehearsals, both of which have expenses. In addition Jesse has put together a special group to represent this occasion and the musicians, many of whom have not been getting a lot of work due to the current pandemic, are stepping up to participate at a set group rate.
A special release of “Freedom’s Sweet” by Horace Tapscott, is also in the works. This song is featured in the film and was written sometime after the riots in the 1960’s and recorded by The Gathering in 2015 at the Mayme Clayton Library Concert. It features a wonderful and timely spoken word introduction by Kamau Daáood, powerful vocals by Maia, and an exceptional extended performance of the band including solos by Fundi Legohn, Mercedes “Laray” Smith, Roberto Miranda, and Fritz Wise. The release will include the full 24 minute version of “Freedom’s Sweet” plus an abbreviated version, and a video component.
We are seeking some funds to help cover the cost of rehearsals, gets some extra money for the musicians, help with preparing the film to stream online at the festival, as well as mix the special recording of “Freedom’s Sweet.”
It’s not a band it’s a movement! - Jesse Sharps (Film still from The Gathering: Roots & Branches of Los Angeles Jazz)Rewards
We are offering a new CD-quality, digital release of the anniversary edition of The Gathering: Leimert Park album from the recording session back in 2005 to those that donate $10 or more as well as the upcoming release of "Freedom's Sweet" when it is completed. For a simple $10 donation this is actually quite a deal and you can gift the downloads as well. Visit The Gathering’s Bandcamp page to preview the album and other recordings.
By contributing to this fund you will be directly supporting the musicians, the film, and this rich history of community art and music.
Other ways to help?
- Share this campaign with friends.
- Stream The Gathering performance video from the 2019 Maine International Film Festival. You can watch from anywhere!
- Subscribe for updates on this campaign and future Gathering events here .
Visit The Gathering website for more information.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Thomas Paige
Organizer
Columbia, MO