By Adam Philipson
Early in my career, I learned something I have never forgotten: a community will always tell you what it wants.
The challenge is making sure that when people speak, someone is listening. Because when we listen, remarkable things happen.
Communities tell us what they value. They tell us what they miss. They tell us what traditions matter, what stories should be celebrated, and what experiences help them feel connected to the place they call home.
Over the years, I heard the same sentiment again and again from people throughout our region who thought we should be doing more to celebrate William “Count” Basie, Red Bank’s hometown legend and the musician whose name has become synonymous with our organization.
People wanted a way to honor his legacy. They wanted an opportunity to gather around a shared piece of local history and celebrate someone who continues to inspire generations of artists and audiences alike.
We listened.
Today, the Basie Birthday Bash has become an annual tradition, bringing people together to celebrate Count Basie’s life, music, and enduring impact. This year, as the Basie Center celebrates its 100th anniversary, that tradition feels more meaningful than ever.
That experience reinforced something I’ve come to believe deeply: strong communities aren’t built simply because people live in the same place. They’re built through shared experiences, shared memories, and a shared sense of belonging.
The arts help create those moments. And they help people connect to the places we call home.
At a time when many people report feeling increasingly isolated and disconnected, those opportunities matter more than ever.
But meaningful connection begins with listening.
Listening helps us understand what people are seeking. It helps us identify barriers that may be keeping someone from participating. It helps ensure that more people feel welcomed, represented, and reflected in the experiences we create.
Most importantly, it reminds us that the arts are not something that happens to a community. They are something that grows with a community.
That’s why the Basie Center will soon begin a new series of community listening sessions. We want to hear directly from the people we serve:
• How can the arts help you feel more connected?
• How can they help reduce isolation?
• What experiences would make you feel welcomed, represented, and engaged?
• What stories should we be telling?
Communities are shaped by people who care enough to show up, share their ideas, and help create something together.
The arts can help bring people together. Listening is how it begins.
Adam Philipson is president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, one of the state’s leading nonprofit arts organizations dedicated to arts education, community engagement, and world-class cultural programming. This is one in a series of quarterly essays about the arts.
The article originally appeared in the July 2 – 8, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
