Larry Draughn to Transform Jazz History into New Music in Upcoming GROW Residency

Creative Greensboro will welcome jazz musician Larry Q. Draughn Jr. to the Greensboro Residency for Original Works from Tuesday, October 13, through Monday, November 23. Over six weeks, Draughn will lead a dual oral-history and performance project exploring the musical legacies of drummer Dannie Richmond and guitarist Tal Farlow, two artists with deep connections to Greensboro. Draughn's project will blend archival research with community interviews, gathering personal stories and historical perspectives that will inform new musical compositions.

Throughout the residency visitors can witness how interviews and historical findings evolve into musical ideas. The public will have the opportunity to observe research sessions and rehearsals, join guided listening and rhythm labs, and participate in workshops and jam sessions. The residency will culminate on Friday, November 20, with a performance featuring historical repertoire and new works developed during the residency, followed by a live podcast recording on Saturday, November 21.

The GROW residency space is located next to the Davie Street entrance of the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St. To learn more about the residency, visit CreativeGreensboro.com. The GROW residency is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Schedule of Events

All events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 13 | 6-8 pm - Introducing Dannie Richmond, Tal Farlow & Greensboro - An introduction to the residency, the artists, and the research behind the project.

Thursday, October 15 | 6-8 pm - Greensboro in Black & White - A look at the local history and environments that shaped Richmond and Farlow.

Saturday, October 17 | 1-3 pm - Building the Living Archive - Share memories, photos, and stories that help build the residency's living archive.

Tuesday, October 20 | 6-8 pm - Dannie Richmond and the Architecture of Time - A guided listening session with a drumming demonstration.

Friday, October 23 | 6-8 pm - From Greensboro to the World - A public talk connecting the Farlow and Richmond's local roots to their broader musical impact.

Saturday, October 24 | 1-3 pm - Conversations in Rhythm - A live podcast recording exploring Richmond through music and historical research.

Tuesday, October 27 | 6-8 pm - Open Rehearsal - Watch rhythmic ideas inspired by Richmond and Charles Mingus take shape in rehearsal.

Friday, October 30 | 6-8 pm - Rhythm as Language - An interactive drumming demonstration.

Saturday, October 31 | 1-3 pm - Rhythm Lab - A hands-on rhythm workshop and community jam.

Tuesday, November 3 | 6-8 pm - Tal Farlow and "Misty" - A musical session exploring Farlow's harmonic approach through a classic tune.

Friday, November 6 | 6-9 pm - First Friday: Making New Music - A creative lab blending history, improvisation, and new musical experiments.

Sunday, November 8 | 1-2 pm - Conversations in Rhythm - A live podcast recording on what Richmond and Farlow's paths reveal about Greensboro.

Tuesday, November 10 | 6-9 pm - Open Rehearsal: Building New Music - See how research turns into new compositions during this working session.

Sunday, November 15 | 1-4 pm - Community Jam and Archive - A creative mix of music, reflection, writing, and shared memories.

Tuesday, November 17 | 6-8 pm - Open Rehearsal - A preview of how six weeks of research and creativity shape the final performance.

Friday, November 20 | 6-8 pm - Final Performance: Lineage in Motion - A culminating concert featuring historical material and new music from the residency.

Sunday, November 22 | 1-3 pm - Conversations in Rhythm - A final conversation reflecting on discoveries, music created, and next steps.

About the Artist

Larry Q. Draughn Jr. is the founder/director of the NC Jazz Continuum Project and holds degrees in classical percussion (North Carolina A&T State University) and jazz percussion (North Carolina Central University). A Betty Carter Jazz Ahead alum, he has performed at international festivals and contributed to Grammy-nominated recordings. Currently a public school educator, Draughn brings over 30 years of experience bridging gospel, jazz, and hip-hop through performance, education, and cultural preservation. His "Conversations in Rhythm" podcast documents North Carolina's musical legacy while demonstrating contemporary relevance of Black American Music traditions.