My time at Nehemiah has coincided with my exploration of Jazz. This playlist represents the expansive new directions of Jazz in the last few years that reflected my growing understanding of the Black experience. I’m trying to listen closely. I feel like I can hear the complicated variety of emotions I have observed in the Black community from those I have had the privilege of knowing. These are the sounds of struggle, anger, hope, perseverance, and love.

Through this music, I have seen an exploration by jazz artists of what this moment in history means, but also a look back at Black culture, faith, and ancestral figures as a way to process their experience. I’ve learned the way that Jazz can capture the many shades of life experience, whether it be solemn reflection, spiritual yearning, action, or community connectedness. You can hear the affirming DNA of African rhythm, afro-futurism, cosmic jazz, and the spiritual jazz legacy, such as John and Alice Coltrane. Many of the artists on this playlist are playing outside the traditional bounds of jazz while still carrying a deep reverence for the roots they are building on. I hear a searching in the music that reflects our current times, but also the confidence in the resilience that the Black community has come to know all too well.

Listen to Eli’s 30th Anniversary Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3GyXAe02JXE9SwpVDLVJVL?si=LDwfRTxQTRKLBDhfKUpG9A

This post was written by Eli Steenlage.