Jazz musician Etienne Charles explores the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. We are excited about his appearance as the Ford School of Public Policy’s annual Martin Luther King Day speaker on January 17.

Through the “Earth Tones” project, he is shining a light on the effects of climate change on some of the world's most vulnerable communities. His multimedia performances with the University Musical Society will show his artistic and creative expression. At the Ford School, we will hope to be able to sample a taste of that creativity, and to probe his journey – physical and intellectual – to arriving at the concept.

We envisage a brief description of the project from Etienne, with a few visuals, followed by a conversation with a Ford School faculty member who will engage with him about:

A history of his travels

His exploration of various cultures as a part of his musical research

His impressions of the effects of climate change on various communities

How climate change is disproportionately affecting underprivileged communities

Why it is important to elevate their stories

His call for the world to work on common solutions to a common threat

This discussion will be followed by moderated questions from the audience.

As a part of Charles's presence in Ann Arbor, the Ford School community is encouraged to also attend one of the two performances at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater.

This discussion is presented in partnership with the University Musical Society, and is co-sponsored by the Center for Racial Justice.

Speaker bio:

Trinidad born Etienne Charles is a performer, composer and storyteller, who is continuously searching for untold stories and sounds with which to tell them.

His lush trumpet sound, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves enable him to invoke trance, soothing and exciting listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects in his music.

A 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and 2022 Creative Capital Awardee, he researches his compositions by travelling to the regions on which he is focused, meeting with musicians and cultural leaders then observing and participating in rituals to be fully immersed into the cultures that he is studying.

As an Afro-descendant, his work is actively connecting the diaspora and drawing lines to regions at the roots of migrations. Highlighting marginalized communities and engaging with them has been his mission, evident with projects such as Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1, San Jose Suite, Creole Soul, and Folklore.

A firm believer in music and performance as a tool for provoking thought and dialogue, Charles’ themes speak to the status quo while drawing parallels to history. With his latest commissioned project, San Juan Hill, he goes a step further by exploring the storied New York neighborhood to bring the culture of San Juan Hill to the mainstage.