Memories Unleashed: Jazz & Brain Health

Elijah Rock’s Memories Unleashed with Special Guest Antonia Bennett

An evening championing The Great American Songbook, black legacy, and brain health advocacy.

The timeless repertoire of the Great American Songbook canon (1920s–1950s), with contributions by Tony Bennett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, as well as an array of Black musicians like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat "King" Cole, has the inherent power to evoke nostalgic memories for today’s aging listeners as well as inspire young listeners.

Elijah Rock, trained at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Global Brain Health Institute, harnesses the power of jazz and classical arts to deepen public understanding of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders, and call attention to the importance of equity and inclusive research participation. Memories Unleashed revitalizes beloved classics alongside original arrangements performed by Rock and a band of Conservatory musicians.

Following the performance: a panel of UCSF Faculty and Atlantic Fellows in Equity for Brain Health will highlight the importance of music for brain health. Panelists include: Dr. Charles Windon, Dr. Aaron Colverson, Dr. Emilie Brotherhood, Dr. Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi, and Elijah Rock.

Memories Unleashed is an initiative of The Elijah Rock Foundation, funded by a grant from the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and the Alzheimer’s Association.