The Omni-American Project promotes a robust pluralistic center through the power of music and culture while fighting illiberal extremes

Celebrating the heights of American culture found in blues, jazz and the Omni-American tradition.

Collaborating for a robust American liberal democracy grounded in cultural excellence and civic virtue.

Collaborating for a robust American liberal democracy grounded in cultural excellence and civic virtue.

“Omni-American Live Experience” events have filled The City Winery, The Center for Jewish History, and Minton’s Jazz Club in Harlem. At our events, bite-sized portions of Omni-American insight mediate between the music and the audience and embed the music in a larger cultural story that resonates on multiple levels. We aim for entertainment that provides equipment for living with resilience and joy.

On “Straight Ahead: The Omni-American Podcast,” Greg Thomas and Aryeh Tepper engage in wide-ranging discussions about cultural and social issues with outstanding thinkers, writers, scholars and artists. Podcast guests have included Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Bret Stephens, Seth Godin, Glenn Loury, Roya Hakakian, Coleman Hughes, and Wynton Marsalis.

Our five-month Ambassadors Program aims to build a community of young professionals inspired by the vision of American excellence embodied in the Omni-American tradition. Ambassadors read and discuss texts from the tradition while integrating Omni-American thought into their professional lives. The first round of the Omni-American Ambassadors Program was launched in Sept. 2024. 

The Omni-American Future Project confers two awards: the senior Albert Murray Award for Omni-American Excellence and the junior Omni-American Young Leaders Award. Senior awards have been given to composer, musician and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis; Harvard political philosopher and public intellectual, Prof. Danielle Allen; and philanthropist, music lover, investor and all-around renaissance man, Roy Niederhoffer. Junior awards have been given to Congressman Ritchie Torres; writer, musician and podcast host, Coleman Hughes; and jazz pianist Emmet Cohen. 

TOAR is a production of The Omni-American Future Project: omniamericanfuture@gmail.com