Rasul Sikkik, trumpet; Wand Dockery, bass; Suliman Hakim, alto saxophone
(c) Discover Paris!
A fabulous jazz event was held last night at the American Church in Paris. Entitled the “First Independent Festival of Black American Musicians in Paris,” the program featured three groups: Steve McCraven & Black Studies Band, Mra Oma & New Brotherhood, and the Kirk Lightsey Quartet. The audience, consisting largely of American expatriates and French fans of jazz, responded enthusiastically to the performance.
Jazz was first introduced in France in 1917 by James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry “Hell Fighters” band. Last night’s event was a tribute to his creative spirit.
