Soul City: 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

TEENA MARIE-(LADY T)

Image via Wikipedia

Mary Christine Brockert born (March 5, 1956-December 26, 2010). Teena grew up in Oakwood, California on the Westside of Los Angeles an African-American community. Teena’s godmother exposed Teena to Motown,
she was singing Harry Belafonte music by the age of 2. Marie had an acting role on The Beverly Hillbillies, credited as Tina Marie Brockert. In 1976 Teena Marie signed with Motown, and was spotted by Rick James and guitarist Paul C Saenz who became her mentors. Rick James produced “Wild and Peaceful” for Diana Ross, but he prefer to
work with Teena Marie. On this album “I’m Just a Sucker for Your Love” scored Teena Marie her first top ten on the R&B black singles chart.Teena Marie’s picture was not on this album, because the record executives thought that black audiences would not buy an album by a white artist. Radio programmers assumed Marie was African-American.
When she preformed her debut hit with Rick James on Soul Train in 1979, I know those radio programmers were surprised. Teena Marie’s second
album “Lady T” she was on the cover. Her third album “Irons in The Fire” Teena Marie wrote and produced herself. Teena Marie and Rick James duet “Fire and Desire” is one of my favorites. In 2004 Teena Marie and Rick James preformed this duet on BET Awards, which was their last appearance together Rick James died that same year.

Teena Marie got into a big legal battle with Motown over her contract and disagreements about releasing her new material. This resulted in“The Brockert Initiative”, which makes it illegal for a record company to keep an artist under contract without releasing new material for
that artist. With this new law she helped artist like Luther Vandross, Mary Jane Girls and a lot of other artist get out of their contracts.

After Teena Marie left Motown she signed with Epic Records 1983. She was turning out hits like “Shadow Boxing”, “Fix It”, “Lovergirl” and “Casanova Brown”. Teena Marie was one of the first and only artists of her time to rap on her single “Square Biz”; she is regarded as something of a pioneer in helping to bring hip-hop to the mainstream.
Her hip-hop portion of that song she mentions some of her
inspirations: Sarah Vaughn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Shakespeare, Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni, “just to name a few”. This is my all time favorite song of Teena Marie’s. Teena Marie took a 14 year sabbatical
from the spotlight, she released a comeback album La Dona in 2004 was gold certified her top selling album of her career and Sapphire in 2006.

Teena Marie passed away at her home in Pasadena California of natural causes. I was introduced to Teena Marie’s music by my Aunt in 1979. I
had the pleasure of seeing Tenna Marie perform at the Circle Star Theater and Oakland Coliumseum in the early 80s. Every time I saw her she was so soulful a could she sing. Teena Marie had a voice that was unique like no other her sound will be missed.

LM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teena_Marie

Saturday, December 18, 2010

THE QUEEN OF SOUL-ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin / Obama Presidential Inaugurat...

Image by [puamelia] via Flickr
Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis in 1942, she was the third of four children and the fifth of six overall between her parents past relationships. When Aretha was six her family settled in Detroit. Soon after the moved her parents split up, due to her fathers work as a Baptist minister. Aretha was raised by her grandmother Rachel, her mother died when she was ten. At a young age she was singing in church and learned to play the piano by ear. When Aretha was in her preteens she was singing solos at New Bethel Baptist Church where her father was the minister.

While growing up Aretha was around celebrities who hung out at their home.
Some of the gospel greats were Albertina Walker and The Caravans, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward. These three women had a role in her vocal development. Aretha’s father recorded his sermon for Checker Records and was becoming famous and more popular with his work as a civil rights activist. In 1956 Aretha’s father helped her sign a contract with Checker’s JVB gospel record division. At the age of fourteen she released her first album, Songs of Faith. Aretha worked under James Cleveland and toured the gospel circuit. Aretha became a mother of two son, so her gospel career was short. When she turned eighteen, she wanted a secular career. Aretha turned down Motown and Sam Cook’s RCA label, she decided on Columbia Records and moved to New York. Aretha released her first single in the fall of 1960 “Today I Sung the Blues”, it made it to the top ten on the R&B charts but didn’t make to the pop charts.

Aretha recorded a jazz album in 1961 for her first album, because of her love of Dinah Washington. Her record label was hoping it would due as good as Billie Holiday. Aretha had two R&B top ten hits “Operation Heartbreak”
and “Won’t Be Long” in 1961. “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody”

was her first top 40 on the pop charts. In 1963 she almost had a top fifty hit with “Runnin’ Out of Fools”. Columbia records went in another direction with Aretha they wanted her to record songs like “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)”, “Every Little Bits Hurts” and “Mockingbird but this just didn’t bring any success. Aretha had gained a reputation as multi-talented vocalist and musician. In 1965 Aretha was doing a show and the master of ceremonies gave her a tiara crown declaring her “the queen of soul”. Little did she know that this title would stick. In 1966 she decide to leave Columbia for Atlantic, Columbia would continue to release Aretha recordings until 1969.

Image via Wikipedia

Aretha’s first song with Atlantic in 1967 was “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” this song showed her gospel roots. There was tension between Aretha’s then husband and manager Ted White, this led to Aretha and Ted to go into hiding. Aretha return to the studio to record the b-side of the record “Do Right Woman”. Aretha’s “I Never Loved a Man”
soared up R&B and pop charts. Aretha’s second single “Respect” a Otis Redding original, became a bigger hit. The end of 1967 Aretha became one of the symbols of the civil rights movement due to the “Respect” single, which the feminist took as their theme song. Aretha had many more hits in the 60s like “Think” Dionne Warwick’s “I Say a Little Prayer”, “Ain’t No Way” and “The House That Jack Built” the list goes on. The end of 1960s the media title her “The Queen of Soul”.

Aretha went through more tragedies later in her life. In 1979 her father was shot during a attempted robbery at his home, this left him in a coma for five years. Aretha moved back home in 1982 to help take care of her father, he passed in 1984. In 2010 her second eldest son was attacked by three people in northwest Detroit. Aretha was married three times. Her husbands were Ted White, Ken Cummings and Glen Truman. In 2010 Aretha was supposed to go on tour with Condoleeza Rice, she fell and broke two ribs and had to cancel. Aretha is going through pancreatic cancer at this time in her life. The doctors told her to not perform until May 2011, I hope she can perform, I sure would like to see her perform in person. Aretha Franklin is the and always be “The Queen of Soul”. My prayers are with you. You can hear some of Aretha’s songs on Streetwise Radio www.streetwisesd.com/radio.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101217/ap_en_mu/us_people_aretha_franklin

Monday, December 6, 2010

Streetwise Radio in New Orleans

Story and photos by Shelah Moody

“Blues is played by New Orleans musicians with soul and understanding of the soul that lives inside us. An instrument is only what you make it do …an instrument does not make you…Musicians have learned that…You can take a piece of wood and make it talk, but it’s not going to talk unless you do something to make it talk. An instrument will lie there all day long and if you don’t make some kind of noise to make it sound like an instrument, it’s not going to do anything.”—Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Although New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, the city has a vibrant cultural heritage that produces some of world’s most creative music in the genres of blues, reggae, hip hop and Latin music.

This summer, during the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I toured the New Orleans club scene under the guidance of reggae artist Ben Hunter.

(http://www.benehunter.com) An eclectic singer/songwriter who has produced albums such as “Voodo Reggae,” “Soul Avenger” and “Traveler: A Healing Album for the City of New Orleans,” Hunter is a survivor was featured in the independently produced documentary “Baptized At Katrina: A Refugee Story.” Hunter calls the aftermath of Katrina the worst catastrophe in the history of this country. Hunter is currently working on his next album, “Delta Dub,” a mélange of roots reggae and New Orleans rhythms, produced by renowned Jamaican artists Wayne Jobson and Barry O’Hare.

Our first stop was Vaughan’s Lounge in the Bywater district, at 800 Lesseps St., where acclaimed trumpeter Kermit Ruffins plays on Thursday nights. Ruffins’ Thursday night sets have become so popular that he is featured in New Orleans Official 2010 Visitor’s Guide and in the HBO series “Treme.” (Other jazz greats with ongoing gigs in New Orleans include the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mondays, Rebirth Brass band at Maple Leaf, Tuesdays, Irvin Mayfield at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, Wednesdays, Ellis Marsalis at Snug Harbor, Fridays, Jeremy Davenport at the Ritz-Carlton, Saturdays and various Cajun musicians at Tipitina’s on Sundays).

I caught Ruffins and his band as they were playing the theme from the popular HBO series “Treme” and a cover Chuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good.” Ruffins comes from the Louis Armstrong tradition of playing and singing and entertaining. He has an ebullient sense of humor and serves as the DJ, spinning dance tunes between sets. .

During Ruffins performance at Vaughan’s, Hunter introduced me to New Orleans legend “Uncle” Lionel Batiste, 78, co-founder and bass drummer for the Treme Brass Band. Uncle Lionel’s image is immortalized in Congo Square and in a painting by artist Brandon Delles at the Three Muses nightclub. Uncle Lionel summoned me to the dance floor while DJ Kermit played James Brown’s “Sex Machine” and twirled me around a few times.

Uncle Lionel embraces the sweetness of life; he loves to dance, drink beer and he also sing. He co-founded the Treme Brass Band more than 20 years ago; his nephew, Benny Jones (snare drum) is the leader. The Treme Brass band is famous for songs such as “Gimme My Money Back.” Uncle Lionel will proudly tell you that he born and raised in the Treme. He comes from a large family and his mother delivered all of her children by midwife. Uncle Lionel has also appeared in “Treme” and in Spike Lee’s post Katrina documentary “If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise.”

As the eve of Hurricane Katrina approached, Uncle Lionel reflected on its aftermath:

“It was all so touching to me, because everyone had to move out. What New Orleans went through with Katrina touches the heart because a lot of your neighbors; you don’t know what part they’re in. Three of my friends that I grew up with, went to school with and played ball with lost their lives in the water. It still crosses my mind as I wonder where they are.”

Incidentally, Uncle Lionel keeps in shape by marching with the bass drum for at least four hours at a time.

At the Caribbean themed Café Negril, 606 Frenchmen Street, you can see Higher Heights reggae band, which is made of a group of New Orleans musicians. They played the most soulful and original cover of George Michael’s ballad “Careless Whisper” that I’ve ever heard. Lead vocalist Earlette “Ijah” Hodges eloquently mastered the complex lyrics of dancehall queens Sister Carol and Tanya Stephens. When they spotted Hunter in the crowd, they called him on stage, and he sang a bouyant cover of Burning Spear’s “Slavery Days.”

Frenchman Street is a popular gathering place for New Orleans musicians, dancers and visual artists.

From a car on Frenchman Street, painter Joe Parker was selling his signature pieces while a local brass band played in the background. His work was surprisingly affordable; he was selling paintings for $20 to $60.

“Most of these (pieces) are primary colors; really bold lines and shapes,” said Parker. “Jazz is the heartbeat of New Orleans, so I put both of them together. My style is fresh. It’s not seen a lot. Right now, I’m working with wood and acrylic.”

Parker is self-taught and has been painting for six years. “Mood Swing” is one of his favorite paintings. “It has the ability to see a woman in more than one aspect,” said Parker. “Like music, depending on the rhythm and the sound, it will change that for you.”

At the Three Muses Mediterranean restaurant at 536 Frenchman St., (http://www.thethreemuses.com) you can hear the classical, reggae, Flamenco and jazz guitar stylings of Javier Tobar. Tobar hails from Ecuador, South America and has lived in New Orleans since 1979. Tobar collaborates regularly with Ben Hunter and appears on Hunter’s CD, “Traveler.” Tobar pointed out that jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Dizzie Gillespie were influenced heavily by Latin music.

This summer, Club VASO. nightclub at 500 Frenchmen St. was the site of the Cutting Edge Music Festival . The showcase attracted new and unsigned artists, such as rising R an B singer Innocents, (Texas) from across the country. At the showcase, I met hard working entrepreneur Henry Turner, Jr. (www.henryturnerjr.com)who owns a recording studio and label based in Baton Rouge, LA.

Turner gained popularity through is Louisiana reggae/funk/soul band, Henry Turner Jr. and Flavor. Turner is also promoter of the Bob Marley Festival, which features predominately independent artists.

New Orleans has produced celebrated rappers such as Cash Money, Lil Wayne and Juvenile, Mystikal and 5^th Ward Weebie. At La Maison de la Musique, 508 Frenchmem St. you can catch DJ Jubilee, the master of Bounce music, a pungent style of hip hop unique to New Orleans. Bounce is a sexually charged style of hip hop that encourages rapid shaking of the derriere and other X-rated moves on the dance floor. (Since this is a family blog, we cannot show you most of them).

On the August 29, the actual anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I caught Walter “Wolfman” Washington’s Sunday gig at the Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St. The Grammy nominated blues singer/guitarist has been playing there for more than 25 years. Wearing a natty red suit and smoking on the terrace between sets, Wolfman was feeling fine.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Washington began singing in the church choir with his mother.

“From there, I created a spiritual vocal group called the True Loving Full Gospel Singers,” said Washington. “We didn’t have a guitar player in the group so I decided to try to play a guitar. I always wanted to play the guitar. I made my first guitar out of a cigar box and clothes hangers and some rubber bands. One of my uncles had an acoustic guitar and he showed me how to finger it and how to tune it. I had a chance to go listen to a spiritual group at WBOK when they had spiritual groups on Sundays. We decided to go and play with them. I saw a guitar player playing with all of his fingers. I decided I wanted to learn how to do that. At that time, my guitar was tuned differently because I was playing with just one finger. My uncle showed me how to tune it. My mother wanted me to try to play the guitar like a keyboard player; at that time she wanted me to play the piano. I made her a promise that I would try to play like a keyboard player. To make a long story short, that’s my style of playing.”

Washington, who plays a Gibson guitar, is known for songs such as “Out of the Dark” and “Fun While it Lasted.”

During a pensive moment, Washington reflected on the Hurricane Katrina anniversary.

“Well, Darlin,’ I’m going to tell you to the truth…I didn’t. I really would like to forget about it. I can’t because there’s too much around me that reminds me of it. I’m just glad it’s over and that it will never happen again-that New Orleans goes down to the point where people think it’s never going to come back. You see, I was one of the last musicians to leave New Orleans after Katrina and one of the first musicians to come back after Katrina. The Maple Leaf was the first club in this area to have live music. We had like five generators going. There are good memories. I just didn’t like coming back to a city that was so dark. No light and stuff, no people. That night, when I played here, it was a night like tonight; everybody came out. They stopped us, because the police didn’t want us to go any later than midnight.”

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Aaliyah's Star...Still Shining!

Cover of Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Houghton, better known as "Aaliyah", was an American recording artist, actress, and model who's vocal talent, fashionable charm, and passionate spirit, helped redefine R&B and hip hop in the 1990's, leaving an indelible imprint on the music industry during her short time with us!

Born in Brooklyn in 1979 and raised in Detroit, Aaliyah first auditioned for TV commercials and the sitcom series "Family Matters" before performing on "Star Search" at age 9. A few years later she toured and sang in concert with superstar 'Gladlys Knight', who was the ex-wife of her uncle, "Barry Hankerson".

Shortly after her 13th birthday, Aaliyah signed with "Jive Records" and "Blackround Records" by her uncle, who introduced her to R&B singer and record producer "R. Kelly", a creative influence who would become Aaliyah's mentor, and....eventually her husband!

Her debut album "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" sold three million copies in the United States, and went double platinum. However, her contract with "Jive" ended abruptly when Aaliyah and Kelly faced allegations of an illegal marriage....he being 27 and her, only 15!

Nevertheless, the album's two hit singles "Back and Forth" and "At Your Best" made the "Billboard Top 100" list, while her song "The Thing I Like" became part of the movie sound track for the 1994 film "A Low Down Dirty Shame".

Her next album, "One in a Million" was produced by "Timbaland" and "Missy Elliott" of 'Atlantic Records', and went on to sell 3.7 million copies nationally, and over eight million world wide. Not yet 18 years old, Aaliyah was about to inherit her life-long label, "The Queen of R&B"!

However, She couldn't quite shake the acting bug that initially bit her at age 6, when she starred as "Annie" in her first grade school play. So, in 1997, Aaliyah decided to attend the 'Detroit High School for Performing Arts', where she received strait-A's in Drama!

That led to an immediate role on the TV police drama "New York Undercover", where Aaliyah played the role of herself! A year later she appeared at "The Academy Awards", not as an actor....but as the youngest singer ever to perform there--singing "Journey to the Past", the theme song for the animated feature "Anastasia".

In 2000, Aaliyah landed her first major movie role in "Romeo Must Die", starring opposite martial artist Jet Li. It grossed $18.6 million on opening weekend, and ranked number 2 at the box office, while her video soundtrack "Try Again" went on to win two "MTV Music Video" awards, and nominations for both a "Grammy" and "Best R&B Female Vocalist".

A year later she began work on her second film, "Queen of the Damned", and was also slated to star in the sequel of "The Matrix", all of this prior to the release of her final album, "Aaliyah" in July, 2001.

On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and various members of her record company boarded a twin engine Cessna in the Bahama's bound for the return trip home to Florida following filming of the music video "Rock the Boat".

The flight was actually scheduled for the following day, but Aaliyah and her crew were anxious to get home, so, against the advice of baggage handlers and the pilot, the small plane took off immediately.

Unfortunately, all their video gear was packed on board a new plane, which was much smaller than the Cessna they had arrived on, thus, exceeding standard weight and balance tolerance limits, which caused the plane to crash shortly after takeoff just 200 feet from the runway--killing Aaliyah and eight others.

Not only was the plane vastly over loaded, but sadly, the pilot was not legally licensed to fly the plane...and was found to have traces of cocaine and alcohol in his blood.

A week later,during a private ceremony, Aaliyah was buried in a silver casket, surrounded by over 800 mourners, including 'Gladys Knight',' Missy Elliott', 'Timbaland', 'Lil Kim' and 'Sean Combs'.

Within a month of the funeral, Aaliyah's final album sky-rocketed from 19th to number one on the 'Billboard Top 100" music chart, posthumously earning her two additional "American Music Awards".

Her final music video "Rock the Boat" also topped the charts and became one of most popularly viewed video's of all time!

In 2002, the release of the film "Queen of the Damned" earned $16 million on opening weekend, and its sound track, along with two singles, became top selling award winners as well.

On the one-year anniversary of Aaliyah's death, a candlelight vigil was held in 'Times Square', as millions observed a moment of silence in her honor, and radio stations across America played her music.

To some degree, Aaliyah's premature end is a call to remember too many other music innovates who left us in a similar fashion....like 'Buddy Holly' and 'Ritchie Valens' (also plane crash victims), 'John Lennon', 'Kurt Cobain', 'Karen Carpenter', and of course the late, greats 'Michael Jackson' and 'Elvis', among others!

Like theirs, Aaliyah's sweet sound and bounty of work, will live long and prosper, in the hearts and souls of music lovers around the world....well after we age gone too!

Thanks, and listen for the sounds of "Aaliyah" on STREETWISE RADIO!

Sincerely, PeteCam4

(note: Station owner Michael Ealey will run Aaliyah's new CD compilation [over 1 hour in length] in its entirety...VERY SOON! So, stay logged on to StreetwiseRadio at www.streetwisesd.com/radio

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Nicole Richie Discusses Her Latest Novel, Priceless

By Shelah Moody

Photos by Kevin Casey

“As the beautiful young woman strode through the international arrivals terminal at JFK, several people turned to look. A flight attendant noticed the way she carried herself, the clothes she wore, here shoes, and guessed she’d just walked out of first class. She was right.”—Nicole Richie, “Priceless.”

Nicole Richie knows a lot about power, fame and money. As the daughter of Grammy winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, the reality show star, fashionista and philanthropist has been in the limelight most of her life. (Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones are her godfathers). Richie’s past feud with BFF Paris Hilton, her co-star on “The Simple Life” reality series and her struggle with drug addiction made her a popular media target. After a long journey toward healing and redemption, Richie had two children, daughter Harlow Winter Kate Richie-Madden and son Sparrow James Midnight Madden with her boyfriend, Joel Madden, and found her voice as a popular fiction writer. In 2005, Richie released her first novel, “The Truth about Diamonds.”

Richie is currently on tour promoting her second novel, “Priceless” (Atria Books), which deals with fame, power, romance and intrigue. I caught up with the gracious and glamorous author last week during a signing at Book Passage bookstore in San Francisco.

Q: How old were you when you started writing fiction?

A: When I was first approached to write “The Truth about Diamonds,” I really had not written fiction before. I had written a lot in my journals when I was younger, but that by no means is anything close to writing a fiction novel.

Q: Do you carry a notepad with you and write down ideas when you travel?

A: I do, when I travel, I have a lot of down time and that’s when I’m along and can really be alone with my thoughts.

Q: Which writers have inspired you?

A: I love Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins is a great writer.

Q: What’s the subject of your next book?

A: You know, as I’m coming to the end of this book tour, that’s when I can really open my mind and dive into a new story. I haven’t started yet, but I am going to release it next fall.

Q: How long did it take you to write “Priceless?” What are the similarities between yourself and the main character?

A: This novel took me about six months to write. There aren’t many similarities between myself and this character. Charlotte—she’s very brave and she makes the decisions to leave everything she knows and start a new life. She’s much more brave than I am. I really admire and look up to this character.

Q: As a mother, do you think that you will write a children’s book some day?

A: Possibly. Yes! I would love to one day.

For more information on Nicole Richie’s novel, “Priceless,” go to:http://www.nrichienews.com/2008/03/welcome.html

Saturday, October 2, 2010

THERE WAS ALMOST NO ANITA BAKER

Image via WikipediaThe first time I heard of Anita Baker, “No More Tear” was playing on KBLX 102.9 FM Radio in the early 80‘s. I thought wow this girl can sing and how unique her voice was. I seen her in concert with George Benson in 1983, that was a great concert.

Anita Baker grew up in Detroit, Anita Baker almost gave up singing, because of the record labels executives negative reviews. Thank goodness she didn’t, we wouldn’t have the beautiful songs like “No More Tears” and “Angel” from The Songstress album. “Sweet Love” which won Anita a Grammy Award for best R an B Female Vocalist and Best R&B Song. After that first Grammy Anita Baker was on a roll. Anita did a duet with the Winans “Ain’t No Need to Worry” this won her another Grammy. There was no stopping Anita Baker, “Giving You The Best That I Got” was on the top of the Soul and Pop charts. Baker won three more Grammies, this established Anita Baker as the number one Lady of Soul.

In 1990 Anita Baker released Compositions this album she wrote seven of the nine songs. The Compositions was cut live musicians played while Anita sang. Anita had some good great musicians which include Greg Phillinganes, Natan East, Paulinho da Costa Vernon Fails, Ricky Lawson and Stephen Ferrone. Touring for five years straight Anita took a break. She enter the studio in 1993 to do a duet with Frank Sinatra “Witch Craft”. Anita released “Rhythm of Love” in 1994. She recorded this album at home because she was pregnant. Anita Baker won another Grammy for “I Apologize” in
1996 for Best Female R an B Vocal Performance for a single. Rhino Records released The Best of Anita Baker known as Sweet Love in 2002. In 2004 Anita signed with Blue Note Records, that same year she released “My Everything”. The album was number four on Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R an B/Hip Hop Albums. Anita released a Christmas album in October
2005 “Moonlight Sleigh ride”, “Family of Man”, and “Christmas Fantasy”
received a Grammy nomination in in 2007 for Best Traditional R an B Vocal Performance. Anita Baker went on a concert tour in 2008, entitled An Evening with Anita Baker. I missed that tour. Anita Baker is coming out with a new album, it’s supposed to be the fall 2010.

I must say Anita Baker is truly a Songstress. I am glad she didn’t quite when she first started, because we would not have the beautiful songs she as sang over the decades. Songs that have a will be around for ever.

LM

http://www.soultracks.com/anita_baker.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Baker

Monday, September 20, 2010

Sheryl Lee Ralph Headlines HIV/AIDS Benefit 09/20 By Shelah Moody

Not only is Sheryl Lee Ralph a triple threat—star of the Broadway stage, film and television--she is also a longtime activist who sits on the board of the National Minority AIDS Council and the Black AIDS Institute.

On Monday, Sept. 20, the Tony nominated performer returns to San Francisco as part of the “One Night Only Cabaret" event featuring cast members from the touring cast of the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.” “One Night Only,” which will take place at the Marines Memorial Theater, is a benefit for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation

At the time of our phone interview, Ralph, who is married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, was on her way to Washington, D.C. to attend a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation/Congressional Black Caucus Spouses event honoring Alice Walker and Robert Townsend. Later, she would moderate a panel for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on the plight of young black children.

Ralph’s one-woman show, “Sometimes I Cry,” which tells the story of real women living with HIV/AIDS has touched many lives. During the July 4^th weekend, Ralph appeared at the 16^th Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, speaking on HIV/AIDS prevention with actor Hill Harper and others.

Shelah Moody: Congratulations on being included in Essence magazine’s “40, Fierce an Fabulous” spread in their September issue. How does it feel?

Sheryl Lee Ralph: You know something, it feels quite special. It was an amazing luncheon; it was an amazing awards ceremony, to bring together such a diverse group of women from Valerie Jarrett to Naomi Campbell to me. They chose 40 women who have changed the world in some way on an issue or a subject. Mine, of course was the issue of HIV and AIDS.

SM: How did you get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS?

SLR: For me, it all started as an original company member of the Broadway cast of “Dreamgirls.” At that time, I saw so many of my friends die of stigma, shame and silence because they were suffering from a mysterious disease; a disease that at that time, had no name. It was called the gay cancer or gay related immune deficiency disease. That’s really what started it for me. Little did I know that almost 30 years later, it would become a so completely a black women’s disease.

SM: On the panel at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this summer, you said that HIV/AIDS is the number one killer of black women.

SLR: It’s terrible. We die first of all of these diseases. We die first of diabetes; we die first of breast cancer. We die first and often under the stigma, silence and shame when it comes to HIV and AIDS.

SM: On the Essence panel, you also said that HIV/AIDS was 100 percent preventable. What should black women know about preventing the spread of the disease?

SLR: They need to get tested. They need to know their status. If they don’t know where to go to get tested, they can visit www.testtogether.org. You put in your zip code and a number of places will come up where you can get tested, many of them for free. The next thing they need to know is how to negotiate sex if they are going to have it. They’ve got to remember that the use of a condom is imperative for their health and well-being. No glove, no love.

SM: Tell us about your annual AIDS benefit, Divas Simply Singing?

SLR: Diva stands for Divinely Inspired, Victoriously Anointed. I started the foundation 20 years ago in memory of the many friends that had lost. The 20^th event is taking place October 9 in Los Angeles. We’ve got an incredible wealth of talented divas, coming to raise their voices in song and commitment, one voice at a time. We’ve got Teena Marie, Ledisi, Jodi Watley, Kelly Price, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis—so many incredible artists.

SM: Speaking of great events, you are performing in San Francisco on Sept. 20 at “One Night Only Cabaret,” a benefit for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. What can we expect?

SLR: You can expect one great song, absolutely. I love coming to the Bay Area and I’m looking forward to it.

SM: When you first starred the role of Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls” in 1981, did you have any idea that it would become a worldwide phenomenon?

SLR: I knew that it was going to be a big, big hit. I had no idea that we were certainly writing pages for ourselves in the books of theater.

SM: Being of Jamaican heritage, are you a fan of reggae music?

SLR: I remain classic to reggae. Reggae has changed a great deal, reggae has turned into dancehall just as R&B has pretty much gone the wayside and people are doing much more rap and all of that. Honestly, I have to stay true to classic Bob Marley.

Sheryl Lee Ralph performs at “One Night Only Cabaret,” a benefit for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation with special guests, Tim Hockenberry, Jason Brock, Syesha Mercado from “American Idol” 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 20, 7:30pm

Marines Memorial Theater, San Francisco. Info: 415-273-1620 or online at www.HelpIsOnTheWay.org.

"Dreamgirls" plays at the Curran Theatre through Sept. 26.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Bay Area Gears Up to Celebrate Michael Jackson’s 52nd Birthday

Image via Wikipedia

The Bay Area Gears Up to Celebrate Michael Jackson’s 52^nd Birthday

By Shelah Moody

It’s all for l.o.v.e.

This phrase has become official mantra for Michael Jackson fans all over the world. It’s hard to believe that more than a year since Jackson’s tragic and untimely death on June 25, 2009 in his Los Angeles home.

Across the country, fans, friends and family are geared up to celebrate the life of the King of Pop, who would have turned 52 on Aug. 29.

In Los Angeles, Michael Bearden, Michael Jackson’s musical director and co-producer of Jackson documentary “This is It” announced on Facebook that he has written a tribute song called “One Last Goodbye” that will soon be released. On Facebook, Bearden told fans to “get the tissue ready.” According to Bearden, Jackson, his longtime friend, would always spell out the words “l.o.v.e. with his fingers.

“Embrace l.o.v.e., I repeat this often but it's how I feel,” said Bearden.

Also in Los Angeles, Cherilyn Lee, Ph.D,

who became Jackson’s nurse practitioner and friend during his final year, is currently organizing the Healthy Body Expo 2010, designed to motivate and inspire families by empowering them with information on ways of taking care of their body temple, with a focus on education and awareness of breast healthcare and early screening for breast cancer using new technologies such as non invasive Thermography Screenings. The event will take place on Dec. 18 at the LAX Marriot in Los Angeles. For information, visit www.healthybodyexpo.com.

In Las Vegas, Raquel Choyce,

president of Michael Jackson’s United Nation International Fan Club, will host a three day birthday event for Jackson Aug. 27-29-- the Official Michael Jackson’s United Nation 5th Annual Fan Convention: “The Legend Continues…” at the Sahara Hotel & Casino.

Choyce, who also works as a Janet Jackson impersonator in Las Vegas, created the fan club in 2004 during the time Jackson was on trial for child molestation.

The Fan Convention will feature top professional tribute artists, impersonators, an MJ Pop Idol Show, dance party, live production shows, MJ birthday celebration, group trip, special guests, an award ceremony and more. For more information, go to www.mjsunifc.com/mjconvention5.

In New York, renown filmmaker Spike Lee, (who directed Jackson’s “They Don’t Really Care About Us” video), 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks and Spike DDB will host The 2nd Annual Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration in Prospect Park on Aug. 29. DJ Spinna (turntables) will keep the crowd dancing with Michael Jackson hits such as “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Billie Jean,” "Beat It,” “Man In The Mirror” and more. For information, go to

The Bay Area, also, has crazy l.o.v.e. for MJ. The A List Musiq Circle will host the Official II Bay Area Michael Jackson Birthday Dance & Celebration on Saturday Aug. 28 at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco. Festivities will run from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. For information, visit http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco.

On Sunday Aug. 29, Dance A Vision Entertainment will host a Michael Jackson birthday bash at Club Anton in Jack London Square, Oakland. The event will feature live dance performances by Brandy Norris, Carla Service, Christine Crawford, Katherine Brown, Matthew Wickett, Tamika Harris and Tiana Hawkins plus DJ Dirty Diana vs. Darling Nikki. Festivities will run from 9 p.m. until 2 p.m. For info, call Carla Service @ (510) 753-5180.

On Aug. 29, the Bay Area Flash Mob will perform a series of dance tribute to Michael Jackson around San Francisco. Bay Area Flash Mob is a group of people who dance, choreograph, and perform Flash Mobs and in nightclubs throughout the S.F. Bay Area. The core members of the Flash Mob met and organized at the Michael Jackson “Thrill the World” event last year. Carol Johnstone,

co-founder and lead choreographer and Flash Mob crew are working on Michael Jackson dances (“Beat It,” “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal” and more). For information, visit www.bayareaflashmob.com.

This summer, on the anniversary of Jackson’s death, the Bay Area Flash Mob, dressed in MJ regalia, pulled off a successful tribute on June 25. The event was followed by a gala tribute to MJ, “Foreverland” at the Regency Ballroom in SF. See youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPP5IauEzc4.

Johnstone believes that Jackson’s untimely death had a lot to do with the changing perception of the Thriller’s life.

“I also think that people want to love him and they want to remember him for the things that they should remember him for--his amazing talent, his generosity and humanitarianism. He really did donate more money to charity than any other celebrity.”

Johnstone, believes her dance tributes to Jackson as her spiritual calling.

“Right before (Jackson’s) memorial service on July 7, 2009it hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Johnstone. “That’s when I started obsessively watching his youtube videos, found “Thrill the World, and that’s how I got involved in the dancing and started the Michael Jackson Flash Mob. It’s been love ever since.”

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Related articles

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Related articles

Monday, December 6, 2010

Related articles

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Related articles

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Related articles by Zemanta

Monday, September 20, 2010

Related articles by Zemanta

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Related articles by Zemanta

Privacy