Park Avenue Synagogue has a history of building bridges between the Jewish and African American communities, such as through the Music Center’s gospel album, Be the Light (2021), and a recent performance of Dave Brubeck’s The Gates of Justice, written in 1969. Especially at Passover, we recognize the themes of enslavement and liberation that run through the African American and Jewish experiences and cultures, with a long history of shared understanding of their meaning and implications.

This performance at UCLA united Cantor Schwartz, Brubeck’s sons as the accompanying jazz trio (marking the first time they performed their father’s piece together), baritone Phillip Bullock, and musicians from Jewish and Black LA-based music groups. We hope that this collaboration shows what can be achieved when we pursue justice together.

Featuring Cantor Azi Schwartz, Baritone Phillip Bullock, Darius Brubeck, Chris Brubeck, and Dan Brubeck, members of Los Angeles area African-American and synagogue choirs, The UCLA Chamber Singers, and students of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, all under the direction of Neal Stulberg.

Lyrics: Hebrew liturgy, spirituals, and The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Music: Dave Brubeck (1920–2012)
Conductor: Neal Stulberg
Producer: Professor Mark Kligman
Video Editor: Tami Shaham