Nonfiction

This Women’s History Month, I’d like to celebrate the life and ingenuity of jazz singer/songwriter Betty Carter.

A musical force of nature, Carter was an inventive musician and bandleader. She also mentored generations of younger musicians.

Born Lillie Mae Jones in 1929, Carter grew up in Detroit. Early in her career she was influenced by and performed with saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, eventually touring with the band of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. Because of her ability to improvise and scat sing, Hampton called her Betty “BeBop” – a nickname that stuck.

Carter went onto to perform with Ray Charles before charting her own course by leading her own bands and launching a successful record label.

Betty Carter was one fearless – inspired and talented – musician/business woman!

Before her death in 1998, she would inspire a host of band members including pianists Mulgrew Miller and Cyrus Chestnut, bassists Curtis Lundy and Buster Williams and drummers Lewis Nash and Jack DeJohnette.  And Carter influenced the careers of many other aspiring young jazz musicians.

So click here to hear my piece about Betty Carter’s incredible musical journey. This documentary was an episode in NPR’s Jazz Profiles series, an award winning weekly program hosted by another phenomenal singer, Nancy Wilson.

On Tuesday, February 21st, noted author/poet E. Ethelbert Miller interviewed me on his TV show The Scholars.  Our wide ranging discussion examined the history of the Black press and Black radio, the significance of writer Richard Durham and the impact of legendary figures like boxing champion Muhammad Ali, novelist Toni Morrison and Chicago mayor Harold Washington.

Click below to see this Black History Month show and enjoy!

Well, it’s begun.

We’re in the second month of a new year that has slapped many of us in the face with its obvious challenges and almost unbelievable developments. The key word however is almost, since many of the events of the past few weeks will continue to percolate and reverberate throughout America and the world in the months to come.

In the midst of these serious societal changes, The Burning Spear newspaper paid tribute to a Chicago-born entertainer who used his art as a weapon against injustice. His name was Oscar Brown Jr. – a talented actor, captivating singer and dedicated activist.

The Burning Spear article examined Brown’s life (1926-2005) and his link to a mentor/friend who inspired him – Chicago writer Richard Durham.  In a review of my book Word Warrior one writer called Durham “a post World War II literary action figure.”

To read and be inspired by this fascinating Burning Spear article, click on the title below:

Oscar Brown Jr. Walked and Talked Self-Determination

Enjoy!

This month, many of us may find ourselves sitting on the edge a virtual cliff,

staring into the vast unknown of the coming new calendar year. While we sit there, anticipating what feats we plan to tackle and the challenges to be slayed, we might first want to take stock of where we’ve been in 2016.

For me, this year has been a whirlwind of teaching, learning and sharing. Since December 2015…just three months after the publication of my first book Word Warrior: Richard Durham, Radio, and Freedom…I’ve traveled between America’s East and West coasts, enjoying the warmth of southern hospitality and the kinetic energy of book lovers in northern, midwestern and western cities. I’ve even crossed the Atlantic “pond” to experience the sights and insights of new friends and associates in London and Oxford, England.

Blessings all.

Of course there have also been setbacks, not the least of which has been living through an extremely ugly and divisive election year. Yet I will remain vigilant and cautiously hopeful as 2017 approaches.

I want to thank everyone who read any of my web posts, attended a book reading/signing event or just shared words of encouragement. I’m so happy that Word Warrior was identified as a one of the top ten books by journalists-of-color last December by theroot.com. My book also made the Washington, DC-based Teaching for Change organization’s recommended reading list, and Word Warrior was a 2016 Phyllis Wheatley Book Awards finalist.

How wonderful it has been to talk about writer Richard Durham’s life and pioneering work in private homes, theatrical venues, colleges, libraries and museums. So please feel free to click on the following links to view my featured appearances at the Museum of the African Diaspora (San Francisco, CA) and the Library of Congress (Washington, DC).

And have a bountiful, peaceful, book-filled and joyous holiday season!

Last month I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with the director and staff of the Studs Terkel Radio Archives based at WFMT in Chicago. While sharing good food and stimulating conversation, we talked about Terkel’s decades long contributions to the art of radio interviewing and writing, as well as his long-term friendship with fellow radio scriptwriter Richard Durham.

Interested in hearing my conversation with Director Tony Macaluso?

If so, click on the image below. There you can also hear Durham’s Destination Freedom episode about baseball great Jackie Robinson, featuring Studs Terkel as the drama’s narrator and actor Oscar Brown Jr. as Robinson.  Enjoy!