The Berry Gordy Music Industry Speaker Series celebrates the 30th anniversary of Stones Throw Records with founder, DJ, producer, and label visionary Peanut Butter Wolf (Chris Manak). Founded in 1996, Stones Throw has built an influential independent music community by championing distinctive voices and music that crosses the boundaries of hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, electronic music, and beyond. The conversation will explore three decades of independent music-making, artist development, creative risk-taking, and building a record label guided by curiosity and a commitment to the art of music making as well as the label’s upcoming three-day, 30th Anniversary, music festival in Highland Park where the label’s past, present, and future will come together for an all-ages outdoor extravaganza of over 30 artists.

UCLA Nazir Ali Jairazhboy Colloquium Dawn Norfleet: Beyond Being Alice Coltrane and Betty Davis As the centennial celebrations of John Coltrane and Miles Davis reach sunset, we will shine light on the unique artistry of two exceptional musicians, Alice McLeod Coltrane and Betty Gray Mabry Davis.  These women played significant roles in the lives and music of jazz luminaries John and Miles during their brief marriages; even more importantly, they were impactful music and culture creators whose full recognition may have been overshadowed by their iconic husbands until recent years.  Beyond being John’s collaborator, Alice Coltrane was a music visionary fusing improvisation, jazz, gospel, and Indian traditions in her compositions and recordings. Her Hindu devotees honored her as and Hindu spiritual leader, Swamini A.C. Turiyasangitananda.  Beyond being “Miles’ muse”, Betty Gray Mabry was a trailblazing Black female rocker, songwriter, and bandleader at the height of the Soul Era. Her raspy voice and raunchy lyrics expressed an overt sexuality and aggressive performativity that was presumed the domain of white male rock artists, while also being considered too provocative for many Black listeners influenced by aesthetics of gospel and Motown.  We will not only discuss the strong impact Alice and Betty had on the musical direction of John and Miles, but also, how these women were cultural catalysts on the merits of their own artistry.