Artist page

The Black Artists Group (BAG) was a multidisciplinary arts collective based in St. Louis, Missouri, active from 1968 to 1972. Known for its innovative blend of free jazz and experimental theater, BAG included notable members such as saxophonists Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, J. D. Parran, Hamiet Bluiett, and Luther Thomas; trumpeters Baikida Carroll and Floyd LeFlore; trombonist Joseph Bowie; drummers Bensid Thigpen and Charles "Bobo" Shaw; and bassist Bobby Reed, among others. The collective also featured stage directors Malinke Robert Elliott, Vincent Terrell, and Muthal Naidoo; actors LeRoi S. Shelton; poets Ajule (Bruce) Rutlin and Shirley LeFlore; dancers Georgia Collins and Luisah Teish; and painters Emilio Cruz and Oliver Lee Jackson. Although Jackson was not an official member, he played a significant role within BAG. Additionally, Ronnie Burrage was one of the youngest members, performing alongside various artists at the ages of 11 and 12 in 1971 and 1972. Influenced by Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, BAG distinguished itself by incorporating artists from diverse disciplines, including dance, theater, visual arts, and creative writing. The group incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1968. Many members later relocated to Paris and New York during the 1970s.

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