Black History Month Lectures

Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley, one of America's most thought-provoking academics, lauded by Cornel West as "the preeminent historian of black culture writing today," presented a lecture on Jazz and Spirituality with multi-media images and audio of great Jazz musicians. Dr. Kelley is a Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and History at USC, and a visiting Professor at Duke University. In the lecture, Dr. Kelley engaged the music of John Coltrane as well as several other modern jazz artists.

On Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009, Dr. Willie Jennings and Dr. Chuck Campbell engaged a fully packed room of students in a brownbag discussion on the practice of Jazz improvisation in the disciplines of Theology and Preaching. Favorite Jazz pieces of the presenters were played. Dr. Jennings discussed the works of Branford Marsalis as well as Cyrus Chestnutt. Dr. Campbell encouraged students to express their skills through preaching. The event was held in 0015W of the divinity school.

A Joyful Noise: Spirituality and Modern Jazz

Regarded as one of the country's preeminent scholars in African American history, Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley will present a lecture entitled, "A Joyful Noise: Jazz, Blues and Spirituality. The presentation will be held on Thursday, Feb 26th at 7pm at Duke Divinity School, room 0016W.

Dr. Robin G. Kelley is writing a biography of jazz musician Thelonious Monk. Kelley has been working for years with Monk Institute founder Thelonious Monk Jr., who has granted Kelley access to rare historical documents for his
biography. No other scholar has ever had such access and support from the Monk family. Kelley is also working on two other books: Speaking in Tongues: Jazz and Modern Africa and A World to Gain: A History of African Americans. Dr. Kelley is a professor at USC and a visiting professor at Duke University.