Welcome to the Nia Network: A Program Bureau, a division of Celeste Bateman & Associates. The program bureau features visual and performing artists, historians, writers and motivational speakers of African descent who present in various venues nationally and internationally. CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals who are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, schools, churches, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. What makes this program bureau unique is that all of the participants present topics and art forms pertaining to the African Diaspora.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
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Bradford Hayes
Bradford Hayes, a native of Petersburg, Virginia has been a force on the jazz scene in the northeastern U.S. for several years now. He has performed at a number of clubs, colleges and concert halls including Birdland, Tavern on the Green and the Beacon Theater in New York City. Bradford has performed with such jazz luminaries as Jimmy Heath, Al Grey, Cecil Payne, Rufus Reid, Ray Bryant, Winard Harper, Ben Riley, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cecil Brooks III, Jerry Butler, and the R&B/doo-wop group, the Dells. Mr. Hayes has opened for Chico Freeman, Betty Carter, Joe Henderson, Max Roach, Marlena Shaw, Pieces of a Dream, and Hilton Ruiz among others. In addition to leading his own band, Bradford spent 15 years with Babatunde Olatunji’s Drums of Passion band, serving as musical director for the last three years, until Mr. Olatunji’s death in 2003. Bradford performed with Mr. Olatunji at Yankee Stadium during Nelson Mandela’s first historical trip to the United States after his release from a South African prison. Mr. Hayes holds a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Music Education from North Carolina AT&T State University. He has also studied privately with George Coleman and Charles Davis. Mr. Hayes has also been a successful music educator in the Newark, New Jersey Public Schools for 22 years. He also performs and tours with the Spirit of Life Ensemble. His CD Our Fathers and features Scott Wendholt on trumpet, Aaron Graves on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Cecil Brooks III on drums, Babtunde Olatunji on percussions and Mr. Hayes on soprano and alto saxophones. Read a review of Bradford's latest CD, The Jazz Life at ://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7723&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0. He is available for jazz performances with his band, school assemblies, workshops and panel discussions on jazz history.