“Ex Africa semper aliquid novi/Out of Africa, always something new.” Pliny The Elder - for O.G. Aununoby, The once and future King of New York. #Knicks #Finals
R.I.P. Foster Sylvers. This was one of the FUNKIEST jams of the early 70s. His older Brother Leon, bassist/producer for Solars Records (Shalamar, Dynasty,The Whispers), wrote the song, which was covered by Ahmad Jamal and sampled by Gangstarr.
youtu.be/Qfuh91E2hEw?...
The great Sonny Rollins on David Sanborn’s Night Music show in 1989, with George Duke on keyboards. R.I.P. Saxophone Colossus.
youtu.be/hBARGhakXLw?...
Today is Geri Allen’s birthday. Here is a repost of my Down Beat article on her years at Howard University. She loved the education she got at the school, courtesy of the groundbreaking jazz program created by Dr. Donald Byrd. She is deeply missed: downbeat.com/news/detail/...
One of the most enduring tropes in jazz is its constant prophecy of death. This post talks about how, to him, jazz is cool again. He does make some salient points: youtu.be/hi3iXH1Rs-o?...
This is a clip from the 2024 film, The Book of Clarence. It features a breathtaking and beautiful Egyptian-themed dance scene set to late Dexter Wansel’s greatest composition, “Nights Over Egypt,” featuring The Jones Girls. R.I.P. #BlackMusicMonth
youtu.be/AD43FRQT0ok?...
“America is deeply rooted in Negro culture: its colloquialisms, its humor, its music. How ironic that the Negro, …is being persecuted and repressed,” Sonny Rollins, from his 1958 masterpiece LP, Freedom Suite, with Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach.” #BlackMusicMonth
Addendum: Since Miles Davis’ Centennial is celebrated this year, I’ll post my Miles piece in June during Black Music Month.
My Publishers Weekly piece on Sonny Rollins author Aidan Levy:
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...