For the fifth and final installment of the Fendi Renaissance — Amina Mundi series, Fendi has collaborated with The Juilliard School, New York. The final episode of the series, which aims to support emerging creatives in the fields of music, dance, and the arts, highlights young and promising jazz musicians from the prestigious performing arts school.
Filmed in December, the final episode features six masked, socially distanced student musicians playing an original score, ‘Rollerblading in Harlem,’ composed by masters’ student Aaron Matson. The famous Appel Room at New York City’s Lincoln Center makes the backdrop of the stunning performance by the ensemble which includes saxophonist Colin Waters, trumpeter Summer Camargo, drummer Taurien Reddick, bassist Jayla Chee, pianist Tyler Henderson, and trombonist Jasim Perales. Further, solo student performances were filmed in various locations around Lincoln Center and Juilliard’s performing arts venues, including Paul Hall, Glorya Kaufman Dance Studio, and the Peter Jay Sharp Theater.
The composition and performance are intended to honor resilience, renewal, and renaissance.
“Jazz symbolizes individual freedom, collective creativity, and personal resilience–fundamental attributes needed to effectively navigate an increasingly complex world. The current pandemic has given us an unpredictable set of ever-changing variables. Perfect for Jazz! The art of mastering the moment with insight, execution, and feeling,” says Wynton Marsalis, Director of Juilliard Jazz.
“We are grateful to Fendi for commissioning a new work by student Aaron Matson and supporting our student performing ensemble in a project that so optimistically addresses this very moment,” he adds.
To aid aspiring artists in realizing their dreams, Fendi has started a donation program with Julliard that will contribute to student scholarships.
Commenting on the donation program, Fendi Chairman and CEO Serge Brunschwig says, “Beyond our admiration for the dedication of the students to have reached the level of achievement having been accepted to the esteemed Juilliard School in their respective disciplines, our shared obsession with craft and the importance that arts play in giving back to society is the reason we at Fendi chose to make a meaningful donation to Juilliard.”
