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Arts & Entertainment

Sankofa Aban: A Lesson in Jazz and History

Sankofa Aban, a Bed-Stuy bed-and-breakfast, keeps jazz history alive with its Fish Fry Friday.

On Friday nights, the parlor of Sankofa Aban Bed and Breakfast is transformed.

After the furniture is moved aside, wine is served, the lights are dimmed and the Victorian brownstone takes on the life of a jazz lounge.

Presented by Brownstone JAZZ, Fish Fry Friday is a weekly event aiming to keep classic jazz alive in a community that has limited access to music venues.

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“This is classic acoustic music,” said Sankofa Aban owner Debbie Mc, “This is real jazz.”

Coordinated with the help of bassist Eric Lemon, Fish Fry Friday is celebrating its one-year anniversary throughout summer.

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Tickets are $20, which includes a performance from Mr. Lemon's band, as well as a healthy portion of fried whiting fish.

Last Friday, the deal was sweetened when guest vocalist Barbara King took the stage.

“It’s time to go back in time,” said Ms. King before the rhythm chimed in. Known for her dedication to traditional jazz, the set was chockfull of classics, including tunes by Gloria Lynne and Ella Fitzgerald.

But according to Mr. Lemon, the evening is about more than music: It’s about Bed-Stuy history. 

During the mid-1900s, Bed-Stuy had vibrant jazz scene, explained Mr. Lemon. Unfortunately, after the 1960s, jazz venues began to disappear. 

“You think about classic jazz, and you think about Harlem. But Bed-Stuy was a breeding ground too,” said Mr. Lemon. “Back in the day, there were young kids hanging around the neighborhood just because they wanted to know what Miles Davis was going to wear. This community needs to be in the books.”

Like the music, Sankofa Aban pays tribute to the past. A walk through the bed and breakfast is a lesson in Victorian artistry, as the original woodwork, stained glass windows and plaster moldings have been well maintained since the 1880s.

“We just want to keep the tradition going in the community,” said Mr. Lemon. “This is a Bed-Stuy thing we are celebrating.” 

This week, Fish Fry Friday will feature a music trio of Mr. Lemon, drummer Doug Richardson, and pianist Rudi Wongozi.

Bed-Stuy residents will also get an opportunity to showcase their talent during the open mic portion of the evening.

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