On Saturday, Feb. 5, the Seaside Public Library will host Galen Abdur-Razzaq who will be presenting “Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement.”

Abdur-Razzaq will kick off this event with a prelude on his flute. From there, this presentation will chronicle music from the turn of the century to present day and highlight various artists, their music, their influence on the evolution of jazz, and their struggles.

He will then illustrate how jazz became an advocacy for the Civil Rights movement, with proceeds from jazz concerts used to finance major events such as the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington in 1963. The lecture is infused with music demonstrations.

Abdur-Razzaq is an extraordinary flautist with an extensive performance career. As a speaker, he has performed at colleges and universities for over 30 years. A former educator, he holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University, in education and performing arts, and studied music at Berklee School of Music in Boston.

The presentation is a hybrid event where participants may either join in-person or via Zoom. In-person participation is capped at a maximum of 15 and sign-ups are required so please contact the library to attend. The library will be hosting the event in the community room. If you would like to participate via Zoom contact the assistant library director who will share the event Zoom link.