It was an honor and joy to work with Trineice Robinson, “Dr. Trineice,” as she is known in the music education world where she is a leading voice teacher in African American singing, the author of So You Want to Sing Gospel: A Guide For Professionals (published by Rowman and Littlefield in collaboration with National Association of Teachers of Singing), founder and director of Soul Ingredients , a college professor and Executive Director of the African American Jazz Caucus. I was so happy to be able to produce this streaming concert with Jazz Power Initiative, the National Jazz Museum and Jazzcorner while also featuring saxophonist, arranger, educator Don Braden, bassist Paul Beaudry, drummer Dwayne “Cook” Broadnax, and yours truly on piano and special guests including JPI Teaching Artist Victoria Ortiz and Trineice’s daughter on bass!

In between songs, Trineice talked about her work as a musician, education and leader in our community. I was particularly knocked out by these remarks:

“Being able to be a culture bearer…let me show you there’s a scientific aspect to this but there’s also a cultural element that you need to know that is quite nuanced that if you limit it to just the notes you’re going to miss the point. So I tend to bring the cultural elements into everything that I’m doing. Awareness of legacy is important…with the African American Jazz Caucus…and I see Dr. Larry [Ridley] here in the audience…I took Dr. Larry’s place as Executive Director [African American Jazz Caucus]…it’s all about creating legacies, it’s about maintaining, supporting legacies, promoting jazz, promoting the present of jazz, promoting the future of jazz, and really bringing this rich heritage to generation and generation. So, sharing cultural identity, cultural memory, is very important in my teaching. But most importantly understanding that this way of teaching, this methodology of teaching is really about making sure that the person, you are your unique voice, and how do you bring these culture bearers with you along your journey and have them help you support what you have to say and tell your stories.” Dr. Trineice Robinson, featured artist on Intergenerational Jazz Power Jam.