|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Organizers of the Omni-American Future Project — a visionary initiative committed to fighting racism and antisemitism and strengthening unity in diversity through music and the power of culture — hosted its third annual awards ceremony, “American Excellence: The Omni-American Future Gala,” last night at Ginny’s Supper Club in New York City.
In partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, this year’s event reinforced the Project’s mission, drawing from the vision of the late Albert Murray and the rich traditions of blues and jazz to build a robust cultural and political center in America and seeking to counter extremism and division by fostering pluralism and shared values. The gala assembled a host of notables, musicians, community leaders, and thinkers for an epic evening.
Launched in 2020, the Omni-American Future Project was conceived by leaders from the American Sephardi Federation, Jazz Leadership Project, and Combat Antisemitism Movement to create a unique platform that encourages collaboration and mutual understanding between the Black American and Jewish communities using commonalities — particularly music — as a cultural unifier.
The term “Omni-American” is borrowed from the writings of Albert Murray, the great 20th-century Black American thinker and writer who, together with the legendary novelist Ralph Ellison, extolled America’s pluralistic and diverse culture. By robustly critiquing racial essentialism and strongly emphasizing the power of culture instead of race, Murray’s writings strike at the root of ideologies that foster division, manipulation, and hatred, and ultimately develop into antisemitism and racism.
“Jazz teaches us about the importance of teamwork in creating beautiful harmony, and we think this is a message for all our friends in the collective effort against racism and antisemitism,” said Lisa Katz, Chief Government Affairs Officer at the Combat Antisemitism Movement. “The Black and Jewish communities in America have a long history of allyship, and by rejuvenating these ties and working as one, we can create a new ‘Omni-American’ reality where all people can live in mutual respect, peace, and prosperity as we pursue civic and cultural excellence together.”
At the 2024 gala, Omni-American recognized two individuals who embody the organization’s standards of intellectual and cultural excellence. Renaissance man and hedge fund entrepreneur Roy Niederhoffer received the Albert Murray Award for Omni-American Excellence in recognition of his lifetime achievements in music and civic engagement. After founding a successful computer game development company at age 13, Niederhoffer went on to expand in business following his graduation from Harvard University in 1987 and began building a career in the finance industry. In 1993, he launched R. G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, Inc. (“RGNCM”) which has been a staple in the industry for over 30 years. In addition to his role as a hedge fund giant, Niederhoffer is also an accomplished classical and jazz pianist who performed and recorded for decades on violin with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony (including several performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center). As the senior award honoree of the evening, Niederhoffer’s dedication to the arts and his contributions to the Omni-American vision was a major highlight of the Gala.
Multifaceted jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen was the recipient of the second award of the evening — The Omni-American Young Leaders Award. Regarded as the vanguard of his generation’s advancement in music, Cohen was a child prodigy and began playing at the age of three years old. A dynamic and charismatic performer, Cohen possesses wide-ranging talent that invigorates the contemporary arts world at home and abroad. His performances are received enthusiastically worldwide. In addition to leading the “Emmet Cohen Trio,” Cohen has appeared regularly with jazz heavyweights including Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Brian Lynch, Sheila Jordan, and was a member of Christian McBride’s trio “Tip City.” As part of the Gala program, Cohen performed with his trio music for a special musical celebration of the very ideals of democratic dialogue and creative expression that the Omni-American Future Project champions.
The Gala kicked off with a red carpet and cocktail pre-reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony presentation. Adding to the night’s musical showing, trumpeter and band leader Itamar Borochov and trombonist Coleman Hughes graced the stage with epic performances.
“This year’s honorees, Roy Niederhoffer and Emmet Cohen, continue the high standards of cultural excellence and commitment to democracy as our previous honorees: Wynton Marsalis, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Coleman Hughes, and Dr. Danielle Allen. Political division, increased antisemitsim, and racist rhetoric threaten to tear us apart. This gala highlights the cultural and civic excellence that at our best we Americans share in common,” said Greg Thomas, co-director of the Omni-American Future Project.
Co-director Aryeh Tepper added, “Democrat or Republican, black or white, left or right, Albert Murray invited all Americans to set divisions aside, including real divisions over policy, and to focus on the essentials, such as rejecting the path of resentment and cultivating a heroic approach to life.”
Photos from the event can be found at this Dropbox link. Photo credit: Richard Conde
This year’s annual event was made possible by the generous support of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, and the Gala Chairman, Roy Niederhoffer, with additional support by corporate executive Duane L. Hughes.
