Expansions
- Place of Publication: New York City, NY
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1971-1975
- Periodicity: Irregular
- Editors: Sala Adenike, Kenneth A. Smikle & Gladstone Yearwood
- Publishers: Collective Black Artists
- Numeration Irregularities: Not all issues contain volume and issue designations.
- Type: Full Text
Expansions was published by the Collective Black Artists (CBA), an organization founded in 1969 to “enhance and assist in the development of Black Creative Music and Art.” In the first issue, the CBA defines its goals through a 10-point list while sharply criticizing the New York American Federation of Musicians union (AFM local 802) for its lack of support for Black musicians. The CBA sought instead to uplift Black musicians – “Contemporary Black Artist” was the term often used instead – and to promote and discuss contemporary Black music. Four tabloid-format issues appear to have been published, one in 1971 and three in 1973, along with a single magazine issue in each of 1974 (labeled “Souvenir issue”) and 1975.
Expansions was initially produced by a team of CBA members, including Gladstone Yearwood (editor), Elaine Workman (Associate Editor), Bobby Hall, Erline Turner, and CBA directors Stanley Cowell, Bob Cunningham, Billy Harper, Jimmy Heath, Done Moore, Jimmy Owens, Tyrone Washington, Reggie Workman, and Kiane Zawadi. Articles focused on material needs of and support for Black musicians, Black arts and Black empowerment, and profiles of prominent Black artists. Musical news in New York, record and film reviews, and advertisements for Black-owned businesses also appeared. The service focus of the CBA can be seen in regular features on the CBA Ensemble, made of CBA members and guest artists; a radio program, the Anthology of African-American Music; and the CBA Institute of Education. Jimmy Owens provides a regular column on business issues for musicians and creative artists.