julian OtisJulian Terrell Otis a multidisciplinary artist, creative vocalist/improviser and composer is known for bringing fresh perspective, nuance, and “high drama” to the contemporary music world. The integration of performance ‘live art’ elements is of particular interest to him. Julian reimagines the modalities used by the works of Ben Patterson (of the Fluxus art movement), Julius Eastman’s approach among the downtown New York City music scene around the early 1970s and other black artists working within wider avant garde movements. It is his goal to use these established works as a lens to see contemporary issues as it pertains to the changing cultural currents that limit the freedoms of persons of color in the United States. Under these conditions it is his prerogative to seek to expose the realities experienced by people of color and work to use art as a platform for all to realize their dreams.
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Julian’s own creative interests focus on providing performance or live art experiences to marginalized groups as a means to express emotions as it manifest for the individual and community. Through creative exploration and ideation the goal is to ultimately seek alternatives to the cycles of violence and create space . This interest has led to a series of community concerts, Self Care = Resistance: Gather. Breathe. Express. Revive. Held in multiple locations across Chicago, the goal of these events is to bring communities together to be present with one another and use jazz improvisation as a means to open channels of communication for participants.