Below are a few samples of some of Moon31's work producing, executing, and curating large scale events:
future x sounds concert tour
Future x Sounds is a series of events that provide established award-winning, genre-defying and socially conscious artists with a unique creative opportunity to share their vision and shift the spotlight onto their talented peers. These special, powerful live experiences invite artists, attendees, and society to question themselves and the world around them. Future X Sounds is an authentic window into a like-minded artistic global community that stands for the sounds of music and for the sounds of global change.
Celebrating communities across the country by selecting a host from that city to curate their own concert, Moon31 co-produced the 2019 Future x Sounds concert series across the country by launching events in New York City, Philadelphia, and LA, pairing the concerts with powerful conversations circling around activism, civil rights, and causes important to each host artist. The series kicked off its events with a partnership New York City’s City Park’s Foundation’s Summerstage Concerts, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Harlem Cultural Festival (aka Black Woodstock) in Harlem, which took place at the same time as the Woodstock Music festival in upstate New York.
Future x Sounds events have been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, TimeOut New York, Fusicology, NBC, Vibe, Billboard, Thrillist, among others.
More current information and the details can be found here.
Future x Sounds Concerts
50th anniversary of gary bartz's "another earth" album: North Sea and Newport Jazz Festivals
In 1968, a 28-year-old Gary Bartz recorded his second album for the Milestone label, Another Earth featuring himself on alto saxophone, Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Pharoah Sanders on tenor saxophone, Stanley Cowell on piano, Reggie Workman on bass and Freddie Waits, drums (Waits is the late father of frequent NYC Winter Jazzfest bandleader and sideman, drummer Nasheet Waits). Another Earth was recorded prior to Bartz famously joining Miles Davis in 1970 at the Isle of Wight. He had previously performed with Eric Dolphy, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus’ Jazz Workshop, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Following his appearance on Davis’ “Live-Evil,” he went on to form Ntu Troop, which combined jazz, funk and soul and played with countless giants of the music, in the process becoming one himself.
In collaboration with Revive Music, Moon31 co-produced this 50th anniversary show at the North Sea and Newport Jazz Festivals, two of the largest jazz festivals in the world, with an all star lineup including original members Gary Bartz and Charles Tolliver, plus Ravi Coltrane, Nasheet Waits (son of Freddie Waits), James King and Paul Bollenback.
More information and the original concert details can be found here (Newport) and here (North Sea)
harlem arts festival.
Harlem Arts Festival is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization co-founded in 2010 by Neal Ludevig, J.J. El-Far and Chelsea Goding. Led by Neal Ludevig as Executive Director, HAF presented multi-disciplinary performances throughout the year in Harlem and New York City, culminating in an annual festival that took place in Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rodgers amphitheater.
HAF’s purpose was to provide resources, visibility, and career opportunities to artists; To increase participation and engagement in the arts by the Harlem community; and to continue Harlem’s artistic legacy of making art that preserves the history and develops the identity of Harlem. In only a few short years, the Harlem Arts Festival showcased more than 200 artists, garnered accolades from CBS News, ABC News, The New York Times, Time Out New York, and more, and has served more than 17,000 audience members. In 2015, Congressman Rangel proclaimed June 27th to be “Harlem Arts Festival Day” to recognize HAF’s contribution to the community.
More footage and information can be found regarding HAF's programs here and on their website at www.harlemartsfestival.com
50th anniversary of charles tolliver's "paperman" album: charlie parker jazz festival.
In 1968, Jazz trumpeter Charles Tolliver recorded his debut album, Paper Man. Praised for its explorative, avant-garde approach, the record includes six of Tolliver's original compositions, and features renowned jazz musicians Gary Bartz, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Joe Chambers. In partnership with Revive Music and Summerstage, Moon31 produced the 50th Year Anniversary of this concert, where Tolliver performed alongside Bartz at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in August 2018, celebrating fifty years since the completion of Paper Man. Additional guests include jazz-fusion multi-instrumentalist Jack DeJohnette, and Buster Williams, the bassist responsible for backing Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, and Bobby McFerrin. Rising vocalist Brianna Thomas kicked off the evening in association with Jazzmobile.
In addition to the concert, a conversation with Charles Tolliver and Meghan Stabile, CEO of Revive Music, was held at the National Jazz Museum in anticipation of the event.
More information and the original concert details can be found here.
marketplace of the future (motf)
Produced in partnership with Future Meets Present and the Starrett Lehigh Building, MOTF was a showcase of sustainable startups during Climate Week 2018-19. Held in a 15,000 sq. foot loft owned by UnderArmour in the iconic Starrett-Lehigh Building (located on 26th Street in Manhattan), the event featured more than 30+ sustainable vendors, zero-waste food, complimentary conscious beer/wine, live music (provided by the Kennedy Administration), artists painting murals, a number of interactive activities, stargazing, and a short panel discussion. The event brought more than 1,000 leaders in the areas of sustainability, environmentalism, social good, and wellness, and highlighted emerging companies that are tackling pressing issues related to climate change.
More information and a recap of the event can be found here.
