Union of God's Musicians and Artists Ascension facts for kids
The Union of God's Musicians and Artists Ascension (UGMAA) was a special group of African American jazz musicians. It was started by a musician named Horace Tapscott in the late 1960s. UGMAA was connected to another group he founded called the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (PAPA), which began in 1961.
PAPA's main goal was to keep African American music alive, help it grow, and share it with more people. UGMAA took over from an earlier group called the Underground Musicians Association (UGMA), which started in 1963. PAPA later joined UGMA.
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What Was UGMAA?
UGMAA was created to help African American musicians, dancers, and visual artists find jobs in Los Angeles. It was a way to support artists in their community.
Who Inspired UGMAA?
The group was inspired by important figures and ideas of the time. These included famous jazz musicians like John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. Political leaders such as Malcolm X and H. Rap Brown also influenced the group's ideas about community and empowerment.
Music Lessons for Young People
Horace Tapscott used UGMAA to offer free music lessons to young people who didn't have much money. He wanted to give them a chance to learn and grow. Later, some of these young musicians joined the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (PAPA).
Famous Musicians in UGMAA
Many talented musicians were part of UGMAA. Some well-known names include Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch, Butch Morris, Joe Sample, Wilber Morris, David Murray, Jimmy Woods, Nate Morgan, and Guido Sinclair. They all helped make UGMAA a special part of jazz history.
