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 sudden passing in December 2021 was a blow to his many loved ones, friends, collaborators, and admirers around the globe.
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-plus history, featuring a cavalcade of virtuoso musicians.
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.
Liza Jessie Peterson – MC, Freedome Bradley – MC, Pastor Kaji Dousa – MC
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, 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.
Poster art – Amy Gail. Created with photos by Nisha Sondhe, Laura Williams, Daryl Tillman, Ginny Suss, Simone Cassas, & Sachyn Mital.
Lincoln Center’s Summer For the City Festival (May 14th – August 14th) Health & Safety Notice (April 2022)
“At this time, face coverings and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required; however, face coverings are welcome and we encourage everyone to complete their primary vaccination series and get boosted before attending.
These protocols are subject to change in accordance with any updates to city and state guidelines, rules and regulations, and other health and safety recommendations from our medical and public health advisors.
Guests of all ages are welcome to attend.
Please stay home if you do not feel well. If you have come in contact recently with someone who has tested positive or you have recently tested positive, please refer to the latest CDC guidelines for isolation, quarantine and masking recommendations.
Lead Support for Summer for the City Community Programming is provided by Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
Presenting support for Summer for the City is provided by SK Group
Major support for Summer for the City is provided by the Mellon Foundation, the LuEsther Mertz Charitable Trust, and First Republic Bank
Additional support is provided by Chanel, the Ford Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, Amazon, the Scully Peretsman Foundation, and Lincoln Center’s 21/22 Donors and Members
Endowment support is provided by the Blavatnik Family Foundation Fund for Dance, The Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Foundation, Oak Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund
NewYork-Presbyterian is the Official Hospital of Lincoln Center
United is the Official Airline of Lincoln Center