Cousins Trio & Friends

During the late 1960s and 1970s, America was experiencing profound social and political upheaval. The Vietnam War, the struggle for civil rights, and growing demands for peace and justice inspired a remarkable body of music – songs that challenged injustice, expressed hope, and gave voice to a generation seeking change.

For a time, it seemed that these songs could be placed safely in the history books. But the questions they raised and the emotions they expressed remain remarkably relevant. Their messages of peace, equality, justice, and human dignity continue to resonate.

Cousins Trio – Marc Cousins, Jim Gardner, and Abdul-Rahman Qadir – will be joined by two outstanding younger musicians, saxophonist John Troy and vocalist Elena Izquierdo, to revisit this powerful repertoire from a fresh perspective.

The program draws from a remarkably diverse range of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Les McCann, Gil Scott-Heron, The Rascals, the Doobie Brothers, and many more. These songs span jazz, soul, rock, funk, and popular music, reflecting the extraordinary musical diversity of an era when music and social change were deeply intertwined.

Whether these songs are familiar or new to you, we invite you to listen not only to their messages, but also to the creativity, beauty, and musical imagination behind them.

The music we needed then . . . may be the music we need now.

Doors open 6pm