Co-produced by Earshot Jazz Festival and Nonsequitur
Portland-based ensemble Be Present Art Group (BPAG) is a multidimensional revolving artists collective who specialized in improvisational creative collaborations. Founded in 2021 by Roman Norfleet, BPAG strives to empower through collaboration, creativity, and education. Earlier this year they released an album titled Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group (Mississippi Records). The ensemble for this concert includes Roman Norfleet (saxophone, percussion, vocals, keys), and Jacque Hammond (vocals), Andre Raiah (Brown Calvin) (keys), Harlan Silverman (cello), Dae Bryant (drums), Machado Mijiga (drums), Cam Haskins (percussion), and Scotty Williams (Based Zeus) (bass).
Originally from Lockport, Illinois, Roman Norfleet is an interdisciplinary cultural producer, healer, and mystic who uses sculpture, music compositions, performance, and social organizing in his quest for spiritual and social development. Norfleet’s life and work has been informed by his early musical influences from his time spent in the Baptist Church to the Hindu philosophies that he immersed himself in at an ashram in Los Angeles. Norfleet seeks to continue that artistic, expressive expansion by continuing to incorporate visual and performance art elements that challenges the status quo, encourages spiritual expansion, and calls for audiences to be present in the now moment.
*Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: Earshot recommends that all ticket holders be vaccinated. Policy subject to change. Full COVID policy here.
Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group photo courtesy of Roman Norfleet