We’ve all heard that cautionary adage about history: those who do not learn from it are doomed to repeat it. But we can also call upon lessons from history to celebrate, draw inspiration, and renew our convictions.

In commemoration of Black History Month this February, the Mystic and Noank Library is proud to host master flutist and educator Galen Abdur-Razzaq for a Zoom program on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. Abdur-Razzaq will lecture, and perform, on the history and impact of Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement.

Opening with a flute prelude, Abdur-Razzaq’s performance and presentation invites listeners on a journey through American music. This journey chronicles music from the turn of the century to present day and highlights various artists, their music, their influence on the evolution of jazz, and their struggles.

He also powerfully illustrates in this 60-minute audiovisual presentation how jazz became an advocacy for the Civil Rights Movement, with jazz concert proceeds used to finance major events such as the March on Washington in 1963.

Abdur-Razzaq has performed and lectured at colleges and universities for over thirty years, offering an engaging and enjoyable path to music appreciation and education. He holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University in Education and Performing Arts, and studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston. You can learn more about him and his work at his production company website, Flute Juice Productions.

You can register for this program on the library’s website or by calling us at (860) 536-7721. Join us for an afternoon of education, enlightenment, and celebration of American music and Black history.

If you’d like to request books, articles, or other information for Black History Month, write to us at reference@mysticnoanklibrary.org.

Erik Caswell is the adult services librarian at Mystic and Noank Library.