In 2021, after years of struggling to find a community of like-minded artists, Durham, North Carolina musician Josh Zaslow decided to build one of his own. With support from North Carolina Central University Jazz Studies Director Robert Trowers, nonprofit innovator Marty Khan, local organizer Nadeen Bir, and family and friends, Bullhorn Arts and Education came to life on August 28, 2021 with the First Annual Bullhorn Fest.

Since its first event, Bullhorn has continued to make connections between artists and audiences in the Bull City. We feel great pride in having

• hosted four annual donation-based music and art festivals
• co-organized two multi-venue concert series
• co-produced a 34-artist compilation album and raised over $4,500 in support of international human rights
• created the Ellerbee Creek Recordings label to promote artists with whom we work closely
• offered sliding-scale or low-cost guitar instruction privately or in partnership with the Durham Arts Council
• partnered with percussionist Ken Moshesh to advance the role of the drum in music and to ensure the continuation of legendary avant-garde Jazz musician Sun Ra’s legacy
• instigated the Ax Share program, a long-term lending library for guitars and violins for children and adults
• built a network of mutual aid among local musicians, artists, and arts-lovers
• made a safer space for Queer, BIPOC, and other genres of people to express themselves more freely

Our creative eco-system thrives when we tell our stories. We hope you will share some of your own journeys, thoughts, and experiences in the comments or the form below!