Living Jazz

We can’t stop reliving SOUL FOOD! Thank you to our community for showing up to support our collaborative event with our friends at Creative Growth Art Center. We are incredibly grateful to share the stage with an organization that fosters boundless creativity. Last night, we reminded our community that “the only thing better than art is MORE ART!” Thank you for sharing the space with us, and a special shoutout to our wonderful musicians, Kimiko Joy and Mike Blankenship, for the beautiful tunes! ?? See you all soon — Creative Growth’s SOUL FOOD exhibition is open until April 19! ? ? ? #LivingJazz #CreativeGrowth #OaklandFirstFriday #KimikoJoy #MikeBlankenship Lyz Luke City of Oakland

FREE EVENT: With everything going on in the world, it's time to align and revitalize. I'm excited to share about Living Jazz's upcoming partnership with Creative Growth Art Center. This Downtown Oakland arts nonprofit works with individuals who are intellectually and developmentally disabled. Creative Growth empowers these folks through the arts. The creativity is POWERFUL and they have a Soul Food themed exhibit. We are bringing Kimiko Joy and Mike Blankenship for a night of live music in their gallery while you can experience the art and uniting of communities. This is also part of Oakland First Fridays and their "HerStory" event. More information and RSVP link below for this FREE all ages event. https://lnkd.in/gAAd2jMq

ONE WEEK away from SOUL FOOD! Check Out Kimiko Joy’s party band: HEAVY HITTERZ More than a celebration, Soul Food is an opportunity to make new connections, embrace the power of the arts, and uplift diverse voices in an inclusive, vibrant, and inspiring space. FREE Tickets are available now. Reserve your spot today! For more information and to reserve tickets, go to our website or contact [email protected]. ++++ SOUL FOOD Living Jazz & Creative Growth When: Friday, March 7, 5–8PM Where: 355 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612 What: The night will feature live music, participatory art, and a merging of communities. ? ? ? #LivingJazz #CreativeGrowth #OaklandFirstFriday #BartABLE #KimikoJoy #MikeBlankenship #Oakland #HeavyHitterz #FreeMusicEvent

?? NEA Grant Changes Hit Bay Area Arts Organizations Hard ???? The recent cancellation of the National Endowment for the Arts' Challenge America program has sent shockwaves through the Bay Area's arts scene, leaving smaller, community-focused organizations scrambling to survive. For groups like Living Jazz in Oakland, this decision feels like a devastating blow. Our Executive Director, Lyz Luke, expressed the deep impact: “When you frame it like that, there are a lot of organizations that won’t make the cut. It’s very, very culturally specific, and it’s not very accessible for a lot of organizations.” This change hits particularly hard for smaller nonprofits who serve underserved communities and rely on these funds to keep their doors open and programs running. “A lot of small organizations will be left out of the funding cycle,” (Lyz Luke) and that’s not just a problem for one group—it’s a problem for ALL our communities. The shift in funding focus—now centered around large-scale events tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary—excludes many of the grassroots organizations that have been champions of cultural inclusion and equity. For these smaller organizations, it’s not just about losing funding; it’s about the struggle to find alternative sources to continue their work. Many are left scrambling for support to ensure they can keep bringing arts to those who need it most. ?? The arts ecosystem in the Bay Area is at a crossroads. This change could hurt the heart of our cultural fabric, especially for the communities who rely on these programs the most. ?? Donate today and make a difference. Together, we can help keep the soul of our community alive. #ArtsFunding #NEA #BayAreaArts #Nonprofits #CommunitySupport #LivingJazz #ChallengeAmerica #CulturalEquity #ArtsInclusion #SaveTheArts

Cheers to 5 Years: Celebrating Lyz Luke’s Impact at Living Jazz! ?? Living Jazz has evolved significantly since 2020, and we are deeply grateful to our Executive Director, Lyz Luke, for their invaluable contributions. Before joining the staff full-time, Lyz Luke was an integral part of our advisory board—until they caught the Living Jazz golden goose! Anyone who has ever been part of our community knows one thing: once you join the jam session, you’re always a part of our “JAMily.” Thank you, Lyz! ?? ? ? ? ??: @bluegoophotos | @oaksym | @jessedarmenta

A Love Story Rooted in Art & Community ??x ??= ?? For over four decades, John Santos has been more than just a seven-time Grammy-nominated percussionist — he’s been a pillar at #LivingJazz. Serving on our advisory board and mentor at #JazzCampWest (and returning in 2025), sharing traditions of Afro-Latin music with generations of artists. Beyond the stage and classroom, John’s greatest duet is with his partner, author Aida Salazar. Their love story is one of creativity, resilience, and deep cultural pride. Together they’ve “Built a Life of Music, Literature and Love.” - KQED Check out their incredible journey in #KQED’s new feature: https://lnkd.in/gtQ2sj2N ? ? ? Images: David M. Barreda/KQED | #LivingJazz #JohnSantos #AidaSalazar #LoveAndArt #AfroLatinMusic #CommunityThroughMusic

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Oakland’s recent budget cuts have put nonprofits, like Living Jazz, at risk by eliminating crucial arts funding. Without support, vital music education programs, local artist showcases, and community events could disappear. Your donation today will help keep jazz alive in Oakland—please join us in preserving this cultural legacy. Keep an eye out for some collaborations designed to unite as well as even stronger school partnerships from Living Jazz. Read the Full Article in our bio ?? ? ? ? Images: @bluegoophotos | #LivingJazz #Oakland #ArtsAdvocacy #BayAreaArts #SFchronicle #ArtsFunds #OaklandBudgetCuts #MoreCultureNotLess #LyzLuke #JazzEducation #ArtsEducation #SanFrancisco #NonProfit #MuEdPrograms #MusicEducation

LIVING JAZZ BOARD MEMBERS WANTED: Help Us Amplify Justice Through Music! ?? At Living Jazz, we believe in the transformative power of music to bring people together, honor cultural heritage, and inspire change. This belief is at the heart of everything we do—from providing music education for underserved youth in 21 schools, intergenerational summer camps, as well as presenting impactful events like our annual MLK Musical Tribute. Be part of a mission-driven organization committed to fostering equity, cultural health, and intergenerational connections through music. Collaborate with a passionate team that TRANSFORMS LIVES THROUGH MUSIC. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, community leader, or someone looking to give back in a meaningful way, we’d love to connect with you. Interested in learning more? Shoot me a message at [email protected] or DM me here. Let’s make music, community, and change together! #LivingJazz #MusicEducation #CommunityImpact #BoardService https://lnkd.in/gV3T88y8

We spent our weekend serving our community with a powerful reminder of the enduring love, light, and respect championed by Dr. King and Aretha Franklin. "Living Jazz MLK tribute concert illuminates love, light, R.E.S.P.E.C.T?" – Oakland Voices. #InTheNameOfLove showcased "some of Oakland's most most influential musicians and cultural pillars" as we transformed the lives of everyone in the Paramount Theatre, Oakland audience through the music of the #QueenOfSoul. Let’s keep their legacy alive by leading with love and making a difference in our communities. ?? ? ? ? #InTheNameOfLove?#LivingJazz?#SFJAZZ?#ParamountTheatre?#Oakland?#ArethaFranklin?#KevChoice?#MartinLutherKing?#BayArea?#MLKWeekend?#BARTable?#OaklandMusic?#Jazz?#Funk?#Soul