Families and friends of the Bromley-Heath development came out to the Jazz and Art day festival last Saturday, June 6th, to canvas paint and listen to live harmonic tunes by The Makanda Project. Just located behind Jackson Square, this community event has been a Boston Housing Authority collaboration with MassArt's sparc! the Artmobile and The Makanda Project.

Attendees of all ages were invited to experience what John Kordalewski, leader of The Makanda Project expressed as “an extension of effort to make music available and accessible to people in Boston’s low-income neighborhoods.” Certainly this was the case when people from all walks of life appeared at the event. Some outsiders stopped their bike rides, apparently hypnotized by the jazzy melodies from Charlie Kohlhase’s saxophone, to sit and listen in Bromley’s Amphitheatre for a while. Families and singles inspired and encouraged creativity from one another at painting tables, while others flew colored kites or kicked back near the basketball court.

In a passionate email, Kordalewski notes the objective of the event and significance of community.

“Focusing on Bromley Heath, the objectives of the event were to have high quality cultural programming and activity present as part of the ongoing life of the community.  We wanted to take advantage of the presence of the amphitheater, which is an ideal space for an event such as this - not only because of the amphitheater layout itself, but also because people ended up enjoying the music from the playground, basketball courts, and elsewhere on the grounds and in the buildings.  Having the jazz music introduced another cultural element from what residents might be most likely to hear, and it was something that they could relate to and enjoy.  There were people of all ages present, particularly at the painting table; involving all generations is very important to us.  We also saw the event as a way of encouraging a positive perception of Bromley Heath, among those both inside and outside of the community.”

According to the leader of the Makanda Project, the jazz group has performed free concerts in the Roxbury community since 2007. They often collaborate with long time partner MassArt’s sparc! the Artmobile, a "traveling mobile base for innovative and intergenerational art and design programs and projects," to produce events where painting sessions take place during live music.

“This event is good because it brings young folks and us older folks together."

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