One of the boldest innovators of postwar American painting, Sam Gilliam often referred to the influence, impact, and ethos of jazz and musical improvisation on his work. To honor the artist’s legacy, Pace Live presented a two-part concert with musicians Jason Moran and Slauson Malone 1 (Jasper Marsalis), who in turn have been influenced by Gilliam. A pianist, composer, and artist, Moran is the Artistic Director for Jazz at The Kennedy Center. He studied with pianists Jaki Byard, Andrew Hill, and Muhal Richard Abrams, beginning his solo recording career in 1998. Moran has released 18 solo recordings with Blue Note Records and his own label Yes Records. In 2022, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he was awarded the 2023 German Jazz Prize for Pianist of the Year. To learn more about Sam Gilliam, visit
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