Music Events in Claremont

While confronting a legal system that aims to murder him, jazz artists are joining Keith LaMar's struggle to regain his freedom... Freedom First began as a concert series in the summer of 2020 on the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan shortly after the murder of George Floyd, and at a time the country was shut down due to Covid. The aim of these beautiful shows has been to raise public awareness of yet another grave injustice being done in our names, and to seek support for the Campaign for Justice for Keith LaMar while we still can... Keith LaMar is a WRONGFULLY-CONVICTED Black man who faces state-sanctioned murder for crimes he can prove he did not commit—his execution date has been reset for January 13, 2027 (his original date was November 16, 2023!). Keith is still breathing. Let's not wait for him to become a hashtag. We are bringing this incredible jazz concert back to the 5Cs! We'll be rejoined by a band of provocative and gifted contemporary artists who will play music from the first ever album in history created and recorded by someone on death row, aptly titled FREEDOM FIRST as well as new songs featuring vocals sungs by the incredible Sami Stevens (from Norah Jones' band) off their 2nd album, LIVE from Death Row. The other members of Freedom First will be: Kazemde George on tenor sax, Jordan McBride on double bass, Zack O'Farrill on drums, Albert Marquès on piano, and, of course, Keith LaMar calling in live from his solitary confinement cell on Ohio's death row (where he has spent over three decades). Keith, an avid jazz lover, lends his soulful and heart-wrenching spoken-word poetry to some of his favorite tunes and several new original pieces written for/with him. In spite of these unimaginably difficult years of torture, he continues to shine a bright light into the world, teaching, motivating, and loving people with great intention. We hope that you will join us in our support as we strive to get Justice for Keith LaMar.