Women Musicians Become Highlight, Focus of Upcoming Brooklyn Jazz Festival

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, the time of year to pay tribute to jazz as both a living and historic American music art form.

On Saturday, April 16, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC) partners with The Center for Arts & Culture (CAC) at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation to host Jazz! The Women's Viewpoint at the Center for Arts & Culture's Skylight Gallery, located at 1368 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy.

Part of the 2016 Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, this 17th annual free event will bring together respected jazz musicians and audiences to explore the unique perspective of women in this historically male-led genre of of music.

A kick-off reception at 2:00pm will feature Jazz! The Women's Viewpoint all-stars, followed by Jazz! Change is Coming, a panel discussion exploring women in jazz in the 21st century, their place in the field, their innovation and their challenges.

Panelists include award-winning jazz vocalists, Jazzmeia Horn, Vivian Sessoms and Ebony Jo-Ann. Moderated by Sheila Anderson, host of Jazz After Hours, WBGO Jazz 88, this session features women who have survived and prospered in the world of jazz.

A master class with Geri Allen, world-renowned composer, educator and jazz pianist, will take the audience through an in-depth instructional experience from, 4:00pm — 5:30pm, as she discusses the role of women in jazz. These afternoon events are free and open to the public. To reserve a seat at the panel discussion and master class, visit www.restorationart.org.

Rounding out the day's festivities is an intimate evening concert featuring Grammy and NAACP Image Award-nominated artist Geri Allen and renowned vocalists Ebony Jo-Ann and Vivian Sessoms at 7pm.

Tickets are $20 and include a complimentary glass of wine. A Fazioli grand piano, enjoyed by renowned jazz musicians across the world will be provided, courtesy of Klavierhaus.