The JAZZ MEANS PEACE series began on Tuesday May 22, 2007 at The Bowery Poetry Club. The purpose is to bring together the jazz community and the peace activist community. The strategy is simple; an evening of great music by local NYC jazz musicians dedicated to celebrating local grassroots peace organizations will guarantee that a great time will be had by all. You can check out the political philosophy here. Scroll down and share some wonderful musical moments with us.
The peace organizations honored were; Peace Action NY, 9/11 Families For Peaceful Tomorrows, The Dialogue Project, United For Peace & Justice, Brooklyn For Peace, The War Resisters League, and The World Can’t Wait.
From May 13th 2008 at The Bowery Poetry Club: "DECONSTRUCTING THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK" with The Russell Branca Quintet: Russell Branca - bass, Jerome Sabbagh - tenor & soprano saxes, Tom Beckham - vibes, Heather Bennett - piano, kenneth Salters - drums: Honoring JOAN WILE AND GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE WAR
1) WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE .............................. 11:11
2) TENDERLY ....................................................................... 12:00
3) ONE HAND, ONE HEART ......................................................9:25
Nos. 1 & 2 arranged by Russell Branca No. 3 arranged by Heather Bennett
From May 22, 2007 The Russell Branca Quartet with special guest jerome Sabbagh.
Russell Branca - bass, Jerome Sabbagh - tenor sax, Mike Pinto - vibes, Heather Bennett - piano, Ken Salters -
drums.
1) LOST IN A DREAM ................................... (Branca) 14:28
2) PEREGRINATION ...................................... (Branca) 10:22
From May 29th, 2007 The Rick Parker Collective: Rick Parker - trombone, John Ellis - Sax, Sam Barsh - piano, Gavin Fallow - bass, Kyle Struve - drums
1) Euro Ring................................................ 13:34
2) Fair Weather Lover ............................... 10:17
From June 5th, 2007 The Harvie S Trio; Harvie S - Bass, Bill O'Connell - piano, Rob Garcia - drums
1) BLIND SIDE ...................................(Harvie S) 7:36 BASSIST HARVIE S
2) OFF CENTER .............................(O'Connell) 7:25
From June 12, 2007: The Donny McCaslin Trio; Donny McCaslin - sax, Hans Glawischnig - bass, Ted Poor - drums
1) Fast Brazil ...................................................... 13:03
2) Eventual ........................................................... 11:50
For the complete evening of June 19, 2007 with poet Eliot Katz CLICK HERE
From June 26, 2007 The John Ellis Quartet; John Ellis - sax, Mike Moreno - guitar, Alan Hampton - bass, Kendrick Scott - drums
1) Dream And Mosh ................................. (Ellis)11:31
2) Bonus Round ....................................... (Ellis) 11:11
photo by Greg Aiello
From November 12, 2007 "The Music Of Wayne Shorter" The Russell Branca Quartet with special guest ADA ROVATTI. Russell Branca - bass, Heather Bennett - piano, Tom Beckham - vibes, Ken Salters - drums Ada Rovatt
i tenor and soprano saxophones.
1) Ju Ju ........................................... 11:18
2) Adam's Apple................................... 6:55 Ada Rovatti
From December 17, 2007, Radam Schwartz & "Conspiracy For Positivity" Radam Schwartz - organ, James 
Gibbs III - trpt, Anthony Ware - alto sax, Misha Fatkiev -guitar, Joe Brown Jr. -drums
1) Sunday Off Broadway .................................................. 9:44
2) Tag & Theme ........................................................... 9:02