Musical jazz event featuring Rahsaan Barber calms community amidst the election

On Wednesday night, Carolina Public Humanities held “Music of Hope and Healing with Rahsaan Barber” as a part of the Flyleaf Bookstore’s Fall Music Series. 

In light of the recent election cycle, Rahsaan Barber, assistant professor of music at UNC, presented a series of jazz songs to divert people’s attention and ease worries.  The event was dimly lit, with a mix of attendees from various backgrounds. The area was blocked off from the rest of the bookstore by gray curtains with posters of various famous book covers displayed behind the band. 

With players on bass, drums and keyboard, and Barber on the saxophone, the group presented a variety of styles of jazz. Throughout this event, attendees learned about the stories behind Barber’s songs, heard reenactments of pieces like “Alabama” by John Coltrane and learned how jazz can be a good medium for community healing. 

Max Owre, the Executive Director for Carolina Public Humanities and a professor in the UNC Department of History, said more about the purpose and structure behind the events. 

“The idea is for us to meet artists, hear them play and learn a little bit about the music and the stories behind the music,” he said. 

In connection to the events and UNC, Owre said that it is their job at Carolina Public Humanities to cultivate humanistic experiences outside of the University. He said they sometimes ask UNC faculty like Barber to perform, and other times a local musician, but that both engage in a humanistic discussion for the audience to learn more about. 

He said that Barber created a few different set lists, performing a certain one depending on the mood but regardless, the music played would be music of hope and healing. 

“[The event] is just to take your mind off of things for a little while and to just appreciate that music is timeless beyond the prices of the day, with the disappointments of some and even the joys of others, depending on your perspective,” Owre said when referencing the message behind the event. “Music stands alone. So that's what we're doing today.” 

Rucha Kapshikar, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill double majoring in Health Policy and Management and English, said she found herself at the event listening in after wandering around Flyleaf Bookstore.

“I do feel like this event will help calm any anxiety around the election,” she said. “I came to Flyleaf because I was feeling really stressed out and I needed to just wander.”

Kapshikar said attending the event was a good way to get her mind off of things. As someone who used to play the ukulele, listening to music is a good de-stressor for her. 

Olivia Beardsley, another attendee of the musical event, came to support her husband who played bass in the performance.

“I love watching him play and listening,” she said. “I've watched them a few times and it's just nice to get out of the house and hear some good music.”

Beardsley also said she has experience with playing music, as she played the saxophone in a jazz band in middle school and a concert band in high school, where she met her husband. 

“I think it would be impossible for it not to help us take your mind off things,” Beardsley said when referring to the intended purpose behind the event. 

“Music has been an important part of my life since I was a kid,” she said. "And being able to have songs that you can go back to that either lift you up or maybe kind of help you feel the emotions that you're feeling.” 

Owre said that Carolina Public Humanities has musical events planned for the spring semester, featuring various UNC faculty artists and music styles like fiddle playing and electric hip-hop. 

“The arts are an essential part of the humanities,” he said. “And so this is just great for us to be able to have programs where we can generate ideas around art discussions.” 

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