Memories Unleashed: Jazz & Brain Health

Elijah Rock’s Memories Unleashed 

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: Charles Windon, Aaron Colverson, Emilie Brotherhood, Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi, and Elijah Rock.

Watch the official lyric video for Elijah Rock's first single, "Route 66," from his upcoming album, Memories Unleashed.