In partnership with the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, Black Moon Trio presents Spilling Over, a program that offers a rich, multi-layered reconsideration of the visionary African American painter Bob Thompson. Through this performance, the trio traces Thompson’s brief but extraordinarily prolific transatlantic career, diving into his formal inventiveness and his profound engagement with universal themes of collectivity, bearing witness, struggle, and justice. Drawing connections between visual art and music, the program illuminates the powerful parallels between Thompson’s artwork and the sonic landscape of his time, weaving together the cultural, historical, and artistic influences that shaped both his paintings and the musical compositions that echo their spirit.

Spilling Over is designed for both visual art enthusiasts and music lovers alike, offering a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of two powerful art forms. The musical selections are carefully curated to mirror the multifaceted inspirations behind Thompson’s work. These selections include the electric energy of the New York City jazz scene, the expressive freedom of modern jazz pioneers like Nina Simone and John Coltrane, and the powerful struggles of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. By examining Thompson’s enduring influence, the performance seeks to provoke reflection on the continued struggles for racial justice and the ways in which art—whether visual or musical—can serve as both a mirror and a catalyst for societal change.