photo by steed media service

Renee Wooten was luminous following a recent Branford Marsalis jazz concert in downtown Chicago. In addition to being riveting and therapeutic, Wooten says that jazz and other types of music contain many redeemable properties that many African Americans needlessly deny themselves.

“As African Americans, I think it’s very important to support the arts, because it is an important tool in self-development. It helps us build self-confidence and self-esteem,” says Wooten, who works as a senior account manager for WVON. “It also provides — especially our younger generation — the opportunity to be exposed to different types of music, different cultures, and [teaches us] how to be tolerant of things that are not the norm.”

Unfortunately, many African Americans weren’t (and haven’t been) exposed to jazz as children. Subsequently, they never learned to embrace the music form with the same intensity as other groups. Wooten feels blessed, because a variety of music, including jazz and classical music, always enveloped her childhood home.

“Music has always been a part of our household. We had all types of music, from jazz to classical, to the Motown days, R&B to soul; it was just a good mix,” she says. “It’s kind of funny, because my nephew, who’s 5 years old, doesn’t like to listen to hip-hop because he’s always with my father, who listens to jazz or blues. My nephew is a blues fan.” -terry shropshire

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