Yusef Lateef’s Art and Music
A celebration of the music and art of Yusef Lateef was held at Trinosophes in the Eastern Market area of Detroit on March 21. The gallery featured a rare exhibit of his artwork called "Towards the Unknown."
In the afternoon a panel discussion about Lateef's music took place with playwright and Wayne Professor Bill Harris, Lars Bjorn and Jim Gallert (authors of Before Motown: A History of Detroit Jazz, 1920-60). The discussion was moderated by Alhena Katsof, curator of the exhibit. A number of people were present to participate in the vivid discussion including Lateef's widow Ayesha Lateef, and percussionist Adam Rudolph. Rudolph played with Lateef in the Eternal Wind ensemble for much of the latter part of his career including the Detroit Jazz Festival. One hot topic was the value of Lateef's concept of "Autophysiopsychic" music to replace "jazz."
Rudolph returned for the evening concert with Detroit born saxophonist Ralph Miles Jones (who also recorded with Lateef) and keyboardist Alex Marcelo.
photographs by Lars Bjorn