TESTIMONY
Testimony: Alfredo Colon on the Impact of the Afrilatin Jazz Alliance
0:51:04
·
81 sec
Alfredo Colon, a saxophonist, composer, and music curator from New York, delivers a testimony on the transformative influence of the Afrilatin Jazz Alliance. Growing up in Harlem and participating in the Afrilatin Jazz Cats program, Colon shares the personal and professional growth he experienced through free music education, highlighting the importance of such community programs. He emphasizes the Alliance's significant role in bolstering community spirit and potential to impact entire communities positively with a dedicated building.
Speaker 15
0:51:04
Hi, everybody.
0:51:05
My name is Alfredo Colon.
0:51:06
I'm a saxophoneist composer, music curator, New Yorker, I grew up in public housing getting Harlem and was a student of the Afrilatin Jazz Alliance's fat Afrilatin Jazz Cabs program where they would teach us how to perform every Sunday at Fat Cat Jazz Club.
0:51:24
This program has changed my life for the better.
0:51:27
There I received free education, free music education at a time when my family could not afford to put me in lessons.
0:51:34
I've met lifelong friends of mine, Zach being one of them.
0:51:38
And I changed my life in so many ways.
0:51:41
I'm now a professional musician with a robust touring schedule I've won multiple awards.
0:51:47
I have many endorsements under my belt, and none of it would have been possible without the Afrilatin Jazz lines.
0:51:53
Being a Harlem resident myself, this or someone who grew up in Harlem, this is something that hits very close to home.
0:51:59
And someone who's worked with them and been a part of the community.
0:52:02
I can attest to all that they've done for the community, and I can see how much they brighten everything in the community.
0:52:08
So I know I'm like, I kind of breeze through that, but that's all I have to say.
0:52:12
If they could do that for me, I can only imagine what they can do for an entire community with a building.
0:52:17
So thank you all.
Speaker 1
0:52:18
Thank you for that powerful testimony.
0:52:20
Congratulations.
0:52:21
Thank you very much.
0:52:24
Panel is now excused.