Ninth Vision Festival May 25 through May 31, 2004

New York, NY-- Arts for Art presents New York's own, world renowned, VISION FESTIVAL. This first rate multi-arts festival is organized and developed on the understanding of the interconnection of all the arts, their audiences and writers. The Vision Festival is the only festival that is devoted to the presentation of innovative American music and arts from an Afro-American perspective and tradition. Vision music or freedom music is not limited by any particular tradition but may in any instance utilize any tradition. It is art built on the development of craft and vision with each artist using a voice that is uniquely their own. It is art with a most decidedly, disciplined disregard for tradition and boundaries.

The Vision Festival will take place as usual over the Memorial Day Weekend from Tuesday, May 25 through Monday, May 31 at the Center at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. It will feature approximately 150 artists in 30 different performing groups over the six days of the Festival.

Highlights of the Ninth Vision Festival will include: The Revolutionary Ensemble playing together live for the first time in almost 3 decades. The Sun Ra Arkestra will celebrate Marhall Allen's 80th Birthday. There will be the Joe McPhee Quartet with master percussionist Harold E. Smith as they reunite for their first performance in NYC in 32 years. Back this year in full strength, Henry Grimes Trio with Marilyn Crispell & Andrew Cyrille. James Blood Ulmer is coming. For the first time Kidd Jordan will bring his New Orleans Band. A special appearance by TRIO with Mark Dresser, Ned Rothenburg and acclaimed koto player Michiyo Yagi. Dave Burrell presents Echo/Peace Continuum. Khan Jamal Quintet will be appearing at the Vision Festival for the first time and Mixashawn is bringing the Double Duo. William Parker Bass Quartet with Henry Grimes, Gunter Baby Sommer & Connie Bauer & Barre Philips for the Peter Kowald and Wilber Morris Memorial Day

SCHEDULE VISION NINE

Tuesday May 25
7:30 Gus Solomons jr - dance
8:30 Marshall Allen and the Sun Ra Arkestra celebrates Marshall Allen's 80th Birthday
9;30 Double Duo Mixashawn with Rashid Ali drums, Pheeroan akLaff drums, Ravi Coltrane sax
10:30 Khan Jamal Quintet - Jemeel Moondoc alto sax, Roy Campbell trumpet, Dylan Taylor, Dwight James, poet Pheralyn Dove

Wednesday May 26
7:30 Mark Dresser bass, Ned Rothenberg shakuhachi, Michiyo Yagi koto
8:30 Equal Interest: Joseph Jarman sax, Leroy Jenkins violin, Myra Melford piano
9;30 Henry Grimes (bass) Trio w Marilyn Crispell piano & Andrew Cyrille drums
10:30 Fred Van Hove piano & Johannes Bauer trombone

Thursday May 27
7:30 Burnt Sugar
8:30 David Budbill poet and William Parker bass
9;30 TRIO Whit Dickey drums, Matthew Shipp piano, William Parker bass
10:30 Kahil El