Pure Love is a two-part, performance-led workshop that explores how we can thoughtfully incorporate race, gender, and other elements of identity into music. In the first part of the interactive workshop, participants will be asked to contribute reactions to the piece “Prema” (1978) by Alice Coltrane and compare their listening experiences before and after learning more about Coltrane’s background. Jackson will illustrate how she came to interpretative decisions based upon her own research on the composer and time period.

The second part will discuss the York College Community Jam Session, hosted by Zlabinger since 2017. After running a jazz-centric session for years, Zlabinger decided to host a more open session that would focus on anyone interested in jamming, emphasizing inclusion by welcoming instruments and voices of any background and ability. Music during the session is spontaneously created and all sounds are welcome, as long as all present are encouraged to contribute. Zlabinger will share anecdotes from session participants.

Jackson and Zlabinger will draw connections between Coltrane’s work and the spirit of the jam session. The workshop will conclude with a live improvisation by Jackson and Zlabinger.