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Michael Mayo, Theo Bleckmann, and HRCF to Join DC Jazz Festival’s “OutLoud!” Event on March 11

Mike Lawson • News • March 2, 2021

WASHINGTON D.C. – DC Jazz Festival and the Embassies of Finland and Sweden in Washington, D.C. are hosting a panel on LGBTQI+ experiences in the music industry. We are excited to announce the addition of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) as a collaborative partner, and international singer and Mack Avenue recording artist, Michael Mayo, and German singer Theo Bleckmann, to our list of panelists.

The event will take place on Zoom on Thursday, March 11th, at 1:00 PM ET and will feature eight prominent LGBTQI+ artists from across the globe. The illuminating conversation will be moderated by music journalist DJ John Murph.

Co-presented by DC Jazz Festival and the Embassies of Finland and Sweden in Washington, D.C. and sponsored by The Corner at Whitman-Walker, the panel will examine the role that sexuality and identity play in artistic development and expression, and discuss the possibilities, challenges, or boundaries the panelists have experienced due to their backgrounds. The panel will also explore the role of historic representations of LGBTQI+ people in music and discuss the importance of their greater positive representation in the music industry

Panelists, to date, include:

  1. Tove Styrke Swedish pop artist and songwriter best known for her smash hit single, “Say My Name”
  2. Saara Aalto – Finnish pop star, pianist and songwriter known as X Factor UK 2016 runner-up. Saara has also performed in musicals and with legends such as Kylie Minogue, Andrea Bocelli and Adam Lambert
  3. Dave Koz – American contemporary jazz saxophonist and critically acclaimed DJ radio host.
  4. Lea DeLariaAmerican comedian, actress, and singer. DeLaria is credited with being the first openly gay comic to appear on American television with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. She is best known for her portrayal of inmate Carrie “Big Boo” Black on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.
  5.  Michael Mayo Critically acclaimed singer. His lead single, “The Way,” is from his Mack Avenue Records’ debut album, Bones on Artistry Music, slated for release in March 2021. 
  6. Andrew D’Angelo – American saxophonist, known for his work with Human Feel, the Matt Wilson Quartet, and Tyft.
  7. Theo Bleckmann German singer, a two-time GRAMMY® nominated and ECM recording artist, described as “from another planet” (New York Times).
  8. DJ John Murph (Moderator), DC-based music journalist, entertainer and pop critic.

This event is open to the public. Tickets are limited, and registration via Eventbrite is required using the button below or via this link: http://bit.ly/OutloudPanel-311. The program will last 75 minutes and will include a live Q&A session where audience participation is highly encouraged. The Audience members can also submit their questions in advance by emailing them to [email protected].

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