HYDE PARK — The stratified and wind-blown streets of Chicago are famous for inspiring musical innovation, from electric blues to house music, Kanye to Chance the Rapper.
But some say the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians — which celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend — has done as much as those streets to broaden and enrich the city's musical landscape.
Founded on the South Side in 1965 as a response to dwindling opportunities for live musicians, the collective refused to wait for the industry to turn around. Instead, the group fostered a movement that created its own music, instruments and a limitless sonic landscape. Critically acclaimed globally and cited as an influence on everything from Afrofuturism to punk, the association continues to exist at the vanguard of musical creativity.
In celebration of AACM's anniversary, the city is hosting an array of concerts, workshops and exhibits this weekend, culminating in a highly anticipated reunion concert that reunites 50 association members on Sunday at the University of Chicago's Mandel Hall.
“The motivation was self-determination and to compose and present original music,” said association member, multi-instrumentalist and School of the Art Institute professor Douglas Ewart, of the group's game-changing formation.
“The economic aspects of Chicago and beyond were that clubs were closing and preventing people from exploring [musically] the way they wanted to,” Ewart said.
So the association threw out the labels and boundaries and created music they dubbed “great black music,” that drew on ancient African traditions but was steeped in modernity. They produced their own concerts, composed music that defied categories and developed a singular sound.
Over the years, association members have won Grammys, MacArthur fellowships, and one has even been nominated for a Pulitzer, but awards and recognition have never been the group's focus.
“Our art vibrates at another level that we make, so that it's healing to the listeners,” said association chairman, musician and spoken word artist Khari B. “People need musical alternatives, and we connect that to our far-reaching future. We play a couple of galaxies away.”
They also play with an unusual mix of elders and younger artists that keeps the sound evolving. Groundbreaking masters, including Joseph Jarman, Mwata Bowden and Ernest Dawkins often play with up-and-comers like Corey Wilkes and Tomeka Reid.
“The practice of passing the music from one generation to another is so crucial,” explained Ewart. “If you don't create a space for new development and new growth, things die. I think that's why the organization is so vibrant. It creates new sprouts.”
Although the association's music is often categorized as jazz by music critics, none of the members call it that, as the sound incorporates diverse layers that appeal to all kinds of music fans.
“I call it spirit music,” said association secretary, pianist, vocalist and teacher Ann Ward. “It just comes from within. I go inside and pull it out. Everybody has something authentic to say. That's the secret of our music; we all have something worth saying.”
Here are the AACM 50th Anniversary public events for the weekend:
Friday
• The Colson Group at University of Chicago International House, 8 p.m., 1414 E. 59th St.
Featuring AACM members Adegoke Steve Colson, Iqua Colson, Ernest Dawkins, Rasul Sadik and Dushun Mosley. Tickets are $15-$20
Sunday
• 50th Anniversary Reunion Concert, “Together: A Power Stronger Than Itself," University of Chicago's Mandel Hall, 7-9 pm., 1131 E. 57th St., General admission $35, $15 for students/seniors w/ID
• VIP Reception, exhibition viewing & Reunion Concert (Du Sable Museum, 5-6:30 p.m.; $100 VIP ticket)
Tickets are available at ticketsweb.uchicago.edu.
The VIP reception at Du Sable Museum includes the concert and viewing of the exhibit, “Free At First: The Audacious Journey of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians,” which runs through Sep. 6.
• Creative Music Summit with Nicole Mitchell and Renee Baker, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.
Associaton members Nicole Mitchell and Renee Baker will discuss their upcoming music premieres commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art and the creative connections between film, art and music. from 1-3 pm at the musem, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Free.
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