Keith LaMar has spent the last 30 years of his life on death row for a crime that evidence shows he did not commit. Since his conviction, LaMar has dedicated his life to criminal justice reform activism and education. His work has taken the form of starting book clubs at high schools, writing and autobiography, and co-writing a jazz album, “Freedom First” with pianist Albert Marquès.
On Oct. 7, Marquès was joined by Zack O’Farrill, Kazemde George, and Yosmel Montejo in the final performance of the Freedom First West Coast tour at Pomona’s Lyman Concert Hall. While the musicians performed on stage, LaMar called in to recite his original spoken word poetry from an Ohio prison.