Berklee Jazz and Gender Justice Group
From left: Veronica Leahy, Connor Sturge, Devon Gates, Nika Ko, Milena Casado, and Edmar Colón.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Students from the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, directed by Edmar Colón, will perform “new standards” from the institute’s book of lead sheets, as well as original compositions. Featured performers are Veronica Leahy, sax; Milena Casado, flugelhorn; Nika Ko, piano; Devon Gates, bass; and Connor Sturge, drums.
The mission of the institute is to recruit, teach, mentor, and advocate for musicians seeking to study jazz with gender justice and racial justice as guiding principles. Founded by Terri Lyne Carrington, who also serves as the artistic director, the institute seeks to engage itself and others in making an important and long-lasting cultural shift in jazz and other music communities.