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COMMENTARY; Smoke, Sista’s Place, the Amanuensis, My Dying City

February 2, 2026

The article previews several upcoming cultural events in New York City focusing on jazz music and theater. Pianist Cyrus Chestnut will perform at Smoke Jazz Club with his trio and vocalist Carla Cook to celebrate his birthday, while saxophonist Bradford Hayes brings his quartet to Sista's Place in Brooklyn. Playwright Ishmael Reed presents a staged reading of his satirical work "The Amanuensis," which explores the exploitation of enslaved storytellers whose tales were appropriated by Joel Chandler Harris and later Disney.

Who is affected

  • Jazz audiences at Smoke Jazz Club and Sista's Place
  • Cyrus Chestnut, Dezron Douglas, Willie Jones III, and Carla Cook (performers)
  • Bradford Hayes Quartet members
  • Theater audiences at Eric Firestone Gallery and American Theater of Actors
  • Ishmael Reed and the cast/crew of "The Amanuensis" (Rome Neal, Jesse Bueno, Robert Fulton, Emil Guillermo, Malika Iman, Joseph La Salle, Carmen Noelia, Jahn Overstreet, Lisa Pakulski, and Monisha Shiva)
  • Dennis Leroy Kangalee and members of the Kangalee Arts Ensemble (Che Ayende, Ward Nixon, Shannon Mastel, Brandon Geer, and Melissa Roth)

What action is being taken

  • Cyrus Chestnut is performing at Smoke Jazz Club from January 22-25
  • Bradford Hayes Quartet is performing at Sista's Place on January 24 with two shows
  • Staged readings of "The Amanuensis" are being presented from January 22-24 at Eric Firestone Gallery
  • "My Dying City, Vol. II" is running from January 22-25 at the American Theater of Actors

Why it matters

  • These cultural events preserve and celebrate African American artistic traditions while addressing contemporary social justice issues. The jazz performances honor the legacy of earlier musical generations while incorporating modern styles, maintaining important cultural continuity. The theatrical productions tackle significant themes including the historical exploitation of enslaved people's intellectual property and current political tensions that drive social despair, using art as a vehicle for consciousness-raising and resistance.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

COMMENTARY; Smoke, Sista’s Place, the Amanuensis, My Dying City