Celebrating Greg Tate
“More Than Posthuman: Rise of the Burnt Sugar Arkestra Mojosexual Cotillion”
An “Oh the Utter Negrocity of It All” Multidimensional Tribute

Presented in collaboration with The Tate Family

Gregory Stephen Ionman Tate (1957-2021) was a giant of Black radical thought and creativity, and a conductor of incandescent, community-driven music. Tate's body of writing as an influential critic would be enough to enshrine him as a cultural icon, but he is equally important to a generation of musicians as both the co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the complete creative freedom of Black artists; and the creator of Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber, a sprawling, omnivorous, and outrageously accomplished improv collective. Under his co-leadership, BSAC has issued more than 20 releases in its two-decade history, featuring a cavalcade of virtuoso musicians. Tate's sudden passing in December 2021 was a blow to his many loved ones, friends, collaborators, and admirers around the globe. For this homecoming concert, curated and presented with The Tate Family at one of his favorite venues, more than thirty BSAC members will perform in celebration and tribute to one of the most essential voices in the history of 21st Century Avant Groidd music and thought.

The Band: Liza Jessie Peterson - MC, Freedome Bradley - MC, Pastor Kaji Dousa - Remarks, Vernon Reid - Conduction, Lisala Beatty - Vocals, Shelley Nicole - Vocals & Conduction, Bruce Mack - Vocals/Synthesizer & Conduction, Karma Mayet - Vocals, Abby Dobson - Vocals, Sequoyah Murray - Vocals, Shariff Simmons - Vocals, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs - Vocals/Electronic Soundscapes, Simi Stone - Violin, Satch Hoyt - Flute & Percussion, Lewis “Flip” Barnes - Trumpet, JS Williams - Trumpet, Avram Fefer - Soprano Sax, V. Jeffrey Smith - Tenor Sax, “Moist” Paula Henderson - Bari Sax, Dave “Smoota” Smith - Trombone, Leon Gruenbaum - Keyboards & Samchillian, Ben Tyree - Electric Guitar, Andre Lassalle - Electric Guitar, Jason DiMatteo - Acoustic Bass, Shawn Banks - Congas, LaFrae Sci - Trap Drums & Electronics, Marque Gilmore tha' Inna•Most - Trap Drums & Electronics, Jared Michael Nickerson - Electric Bass & Conduction, Bill Toles - BSAC Media Design, LaRonda Davis - BSAC Stage Crew, Ginny Suss - BSAC Stage Crew

In Praise of Shadow Boxers, Dissonance & Dissidents: A Pop-Up Tribute Exhibition to Greg Tate

Greg Tate wrote about visual art with the same incendiary vision, rigor, and wit that he displayed in writing about music. Deeply woven into his many works of fine arts criticism: his towering love for Black people and his unstinting devotion to Black culture. Not surprisingly, Tate’s vast personal circles included dozens of major artists, from renowned innovators to rising-star creators. Several were among his closest friends.

On July 17, The Tate Family, Lincoln Center, and Photoville will honor that aspect of Tate's life and work with the pop-up exhibition, In Praise of Shadow Boxers, Dissonance & Dissidents. The exhibition will feature six-foot prints by 24 artists with whom Tate was in community and whose work he championed. Mounted on Photoville exhibition cubes, each image is accompanied by a personal statement by that artist about Tate.

Featured artists: Aisha Tandiwe Bell, Amy Touchette, Arthur Jafa, B+, Barron Claiborne, Carrie Mae Weems, Dawoud Bey, Dread Scott, Ellen Gallagher, Fab 5 Freddy, Futura, Krista Franklin, Lee Quiñones, Ming Smith, Nettrice R. Gaskins, Petra Richterová, Radcliffe Bailey, Robert Pruitt, Ronda Brown, Sanford Biggers, Satch Hoyt, Simone Leigh, Vernon Reid, and Wangechi Mutu. All artists were selected by The Tate Family, which curated the exhibition.

Also in honor of Greg Tate: Starting at 6pm, enjoy hands-on crafts-making for the first 100 people by fine-art mixed media artist Perry Easton, Founder, The ATTIE Project, and complimentary small bites for the first 100 people provided by Pearl Street Caviar, and Lips Cafe.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Guest Services at 212-875-5456 or [email protected].

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