“troublemaker for justice.”
From 2024 GRAMMY and Tony Award-Winner, Bryan Carter presents an expansive musical and literary experience: “Rustin in Renaissance: A Musical Journey Through The Life and Letters of Bayard Rustin” — a close examination of the life and writings of civil-rights pioneer Bayard Rustin.
This very special presentation will assemble a 32-piece ensemble with four vocalists and narrators. The piece, all composed and orchestrated by Carter, chronicles the many insurmountable challenges Rustin faced as a queer man of color at the forefront of the civil rights movement.
The piece documents his mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his permanent behind-the-scenes role as a critical advisor to distinguished civil-rights leaders due to homophobia and criticism of his sexuality.
Created in association with “Jazz At Pride”, the work will be musically diverse, exploring the full lineage of black American music, all through the lens of a jazz musician.
The world premiere of “Rustin in Renaissance” was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on October 18-19, 2024.
Photography: Perry Bindelglass
“Carter is the young musician who in the current century is doing the best job of anyone of navigating between the worlds of jazz and musical theater.”
“an ambitious piece that focuses on Rustin’s triumphs and the joy he brought into the world
Will Friedwald
