Activities
Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar, Director
The goal of the Center for the Study of Popular Music is to provide a space for collaborative work between faculty and students who engage in research around popular music. This includes courses, research and practice. Through campus tours with high school students, brown-bag lectures and visits from scholars, programming at the Center general involves at least one event a semester. The Center also co-sponsors events with units across the University. The Center aims to be impactful, useful and enjoyable to the wider University community. Funding is derived from private contributions to an account at the UConn Foundation.
Programming
Fall 2021
Facing History: Social Commentary in Contemporary American Art, UConn William Benton Museum of Art October 28 (Co-Sponsored with William Benton Museum) Dr. Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar, Presents a Playlist for Exhibit October 28.
Spring 2021
Invited Speaker: Dr. Shana Redmond, “The Antiphonal Life: The Returns of Paul Robeson.”
Shana Redmond is a Professor of Musicology and African American Studies at University of California, Los Angeles. March 15, 2021
Fall 2020
Invited Speaker: Prof. Javon Jackson, “Jazz, Musical Geniuses and our World: Conversations with Javon Jackson.”
Prof. Javon Jackson is an award-winning saxophonist, Professor of Jazz Saxophone, and Director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, University of Hartford
Adisa Banjoko, “The Rise, Decline and Resurgence of Hip-Hop Journalism,”
Adisa Banjoko is an Author and Founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. November 10, 2020.
Fall 2019
Dr. Charles Hughes, “’You’re my Soul Song’: How Soul Changed Country Music”
Dr. Charles Hughes is the Director of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center, Rhodes College.
Spring 2019
Artist-in-Residence June Archer, “From Artist to Executive, Pitfalls, and Success in Navigating the Music Industry”
June Archer is an author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, former music label executive.
Fall 2018
Apathy and Lord Jamar Lecture
Lord Jamar is a member of the legendary hip-hop group Brand Nubian. Apathy is a Connecticut-based MC and prolific artists who has collaborated with a range of MCs over his career.
Artist-in-Residence June Archer, “From Artist to Executive, Pitfalls, and Success in Navigating the Music Industry”
Spring 2018
Dr. Stephon Alexander, “The Physics of Jazz Music”
Dr. Stephon Alexander is a Professor of Physics at Brown University.
Fall 2017
Ted Van Alst, “Native Americans and the Creation of Rock ‘n’ Roll Music”
Dr. Ted Van Alst is an Associate Professor and Chair, Native American Studies at the University of Montana
Fall 2016
Front Page, “The Art of Wordsmithing in Hip-Hop”
Legacy Foundation High School Student Tour
Spring 2016
February 10, 2016, Film Discussion “Straight Outta Compton” Co-Sponsored with Sankofa student organization.
Dr. Treva L. Lindsey, “A Flawless Feminism? The Possibilities and Limitations of Feminism in Contemporary Popular Music.”
Dr. Treva L. Lindsey is an Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University.
Fall 2015
Intro to Africana Studies Lecture: Dr. Rhani Song
Spring 2015
University of Connecticut Hip Hop Summit Conference (Co-Sponsor)
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, “Let me Bang Your Box: The Erotic Life of the Blues.”
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of African & African American Studies and Chair of the Department of African & African American Studies at Duke University
Music Department Convocation Speaker, Dr. Rahni Song
Dr. Rahni Song is a Grammy-Award nominated singer, platinum-selling producer, songwriter and performer.