Thursday, May 28, 2026 From 6:00 PM To 7:30 PM Add to Calendar 2026-05-28 18:00:00 2026-05-28 19:30:00 A Jazz Evening with Jacques Schwarz-Bart Join us to celebrate the launch of Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s powerful new trio project, Resistance. The French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York
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Resistance marks a powerful new chapter in Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s work. Conceived as a deeply personal response to the times we live in, the album explores themes of memory, transmission, and resilience.
Rooted in both history and personal lineage, Resistance draws on Schwarz-Bart’s family heritage—his father, André Schwarz-Bart, was a member of the French Resistance, while his mother, Simone Schwarz-Bart, is a major voice in Caribbean literature. Through this project, he transforms these legacies into a musical language that is both intimate and universal.
Stripped down to a trio format, the music opens a space for intensity, listening, and expression, where each musician plays a vital and expressive role.
“The Harlem Suite is the perfect continuation of a work that merges with life: militant, spiritual, now installed at the summit of the great creators of jazz and Caribbean music.”
— Le Monde
“Life-affirming joy and a vivacious ebullience of spirit. The music is colorful, danceable, aspirational, off the beaten path and as beautifully expressive as sound can be.”
— All About Jazz
“The musician is all about sincerity in music… always on the lookout for the universal.”
— Le Monde
“On the tenor saxophone, Brother Jacques has reached a sovereign maturity, where intensity and relaxation meet, halfway between Coltrane and Dexter Gordon.”
— Jazz Magazine
About the artists
Jacques Schwarz-Bart — tenor saxophoneBorn in Guadeloupe and based in Boston, Jacques Schwarz-Bart is one of the leading voices in contemporary jazz. A pioneer of gwoka jazz and voodoo jazz, he has developed a singular musical language that bridges jazz, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and spirituality.
He has performed and recorded with major artists including Roy Hargrove, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Meshell Ndegeocello, and has been featured on over 150 albums. A longtime professor at Berklee College of Music, he was recently recognized as Best Saxophone Player in France (2025).
Terri Lyne Carrington — drumsA multiple Grammy Award–winning drummer, composer, and producer, Terri Lyne Carrington is one of the most influential figures in jazz today. Known for her powerful, nuanced playing and visionary projects, she has collaborated with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Esperanza Spalding. She is also a leading voice for equity and innovation in the music world.
Max Ridley — bassMax Ridley is a rising voice on the jazz scene, known for his warm tone, rhythmic precision, and versatility. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has performed with leading artists across jazz and contemporary music, and brings a dynamic and grounded presence to the trio.
Presented with the support of the Mosaïque Fund
Cultural programs are at the core of the French Library’s mission to promote the vibrant growth of Francophone cultures and the French language in New England. From art exhibits, concerts, and film screenings to author talks and children’s workshops, we continually seek to welcome experts in various cultural fields to provide a window onto the diverse cultures of the Francophone world.
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