LOS ANGELES — This year Grand Park celebrates its seventh annual New Year's Eve celebration. One of the headlining bands that will usher in 2020 at the park is the Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra.

The Arkestra was formed in 1961 by jazz pianist/composer Horace Tapscott, but after his passing Michael Session took the directorship and now he has handed the reigns over to his son Makela.

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“It started out as the 'ark'. ARK-estra,” said Michael Session. “Ark is like Noah's Ark, which preserves. This band preserves music by black composers dead or alive.”

The Arkestra is just one of the groups that is scheduled to perform on one of two stages in Grand Park, which expects to see some 50,000 guests, over 40 food trucks, 80+ visual and performing artists and a new multimedia countdown to midnight projected on to City Hall. 

“Because of this guy, I just grew up knowing all these songs because I was always at rehearsals,” explained Makela Session, Michael’s son. “He was introduced to the music at 18 but I've known it since I was like a baby.” 

Michael Session explained that because of its long history that has seen over 300 musicians come and go, the Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra has special ties to the community, and is a living, breathing group whose membership may change over the years, but its mission to preserve the music of the community remains the same. 

“We for the community,” said Makela. “As I've grown up hearing my father say, ‘This is your band. We belong to you. Find us in your community.’”

Grand Park's New Year's Eve celebration is a free five-hour event that has become L.A.’s answer to the Big Apple’s long-running ball-drop countdown. 

For Michael and Makela, playing together over the years has been a mutual learning experience. Makela says his dad taught him how to communicate a sense of spirituality in his playing, and Michael says Makela has taught him to always keep an open mind.

“Yeah, he made me always open my ears, even today,” said Michael. “Keep them open. Let's you see that music is moving forward.”

And for both, playing New Year's Eve on home turf at Grand Park is a special occasion. 

“I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life, you know? This is my home. And to me, these are my people. So, it’s such an honor. It's very exciting. It’s 2020, so it's very exciting!” said Makela.“I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life, you know? This is my home. And to me, these are my people. So, it’s such an honor. It's very exciting. It’s 2020, so it's very exciting!” said Makela.

It might be easy to get lost in a crowd of 50,000 people on New Year's Eve, but for Michael and Makela, if you're listening to the music, you are part of the family.