Soul City

Monday, January 17, 2011

AFROSOLO THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS BARITONE LAWRENCE BEAMEN

AFROSOLO THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

HARMONY & MELODY: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY

(A Concert featuring Lawrence Beamen and The Gold Coast Chamber Players)

February 25 – 26, 2011

San Francisco’s award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company proudly presents Harmony & Melody: A Celebration of Black History, February 25-26, 2011. Harmony & Melody: A Celebration of Black History will feature the extraordinary bass baritone vocalist Lawrence Beamen (of “America’s Got Talent” fame), performing Negro Spirituals and traditional African American music in collaboration with The Gold Coast Chamber Players (GCCP).

Harmony & Melody… was conceived by Beamen and GCCP’s founder and artistic director Pamela Freund-Striplen to use music as a bridge towards racial and cultural unity, peace and understanding.

“We are very excited to host this concert”, said Thomas Robert Simpson, founder and Artistic Director of the AfroSolo, “it fits perfectly with our desire of using the arts to explore the bonds that unite all people. We also view the arts as a vehicle to promote dialogue and healing, especially in wake of the Tucson shooting,” he added.

In addition to the Negro Spirituals, the GCCP will also perform “Panamanian Dances for String Quartet” (1953) by William Grant Still, one of the most important African-American composers of the 20^th Century, and the “American” Quartet by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, who was deeply influenced by African-American Spirituals and by his friendship with one of the earliest African-American arrangers of religious music and prolific composer Harry T. Burleigh.

Beamen, a Walnut Creek resident, is a critically celebrated vocalist. He was asked to sing for Rosa Parks at an NAACP event honoring the civil rights leader. He has performed for numerous dignitaries, including former President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II. In 2009, Beamen was one of four finalist to compete on NBC's hit show “America's Got Talent” Season 4, where his powerful rendition of "Ole Man River" (from Show Boat) was critically acclaimed. Beamen’s theater credentials include the roles of deckhand Joe in Show Boat (2007) and Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime: The Musical (2006), and he was honored with Bay Area Critics Circle nominations for both of these roles. Recently he performed at a ceremony honoring the great African-American singer and activist Paul Robeson presented by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation. Robeson had a powerful influence on Beamen as a singer. Dr. Alvin McLean will accompany him on piano.

Since its founding in 1987, GCCP has become recognized for its high quality performances and innovative programming, offering an annual series of concerts that combine 20^th Century and standard repertoire chamber music for mixed instrumentation (strings, brass, reeds, piano, voice.) They were named the “Best Chamber Group in the East Bay” by the Contra Costa Times. Performers will include: Laura Albers, violin (Associate Concertmaster of San Francisco Opera Orchestra); Hrabba Atladottir, violin (Member of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra); Robert Howard, cello; and Pamela Freund-Striplen, viola (Artistic Director, GCCP).

What: AfroSolo presents “Harmony & Melody: A Celebration of Black History.” featuring Lawrence Beamen, baritone, and the Gold Coast Chamber Players.

When: Friday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m.

Where: African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco. (Free Parking)

Tickets: Early Bird Special: All tickets $15 until Jan. 31; $30 General Admission after Jan. 31, 2011.

Visit www.afrosolo.org or call (415) 771-2376 for tickets or more information

Founded in 1993, AfroSolo Theatre Company nurtures, promotes, and presents the experiences of African Americans and those from the African Diaspora through solo performances, and the visual and literary arts. Through these arts, people of all ethnicities are brought together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all.

Funding for the AfroSolo Theatre Company is made possible in part through the support of the African American Art & Culture Complex, LEF Foundation, San Francisco Grants for the Arts/Hotel Tax Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts and the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

-end-

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

JAMIE FOXX

Image via Wikipedia

Born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967, in Terrell, Texas Jamie Foxx

was abandoned by his birth parents at the age of seven months. Jamie was

raised by his mother’s adoptive parents, Estelle and Mark Talley. Jamie

was brought up in a strict Baptist Church; he started piano lessons at the

age of five by orders of his grandmother. Jamie was a part-time pianist

and choir leader at Terrell’s New Baptist Church. Jamie was an honor

student at Terrell High School, where he played basketball and football he

played quarterback on the football team. Jamie was the first player in the

school’s history to pass for 1,000 yards. Jamie received a scholarship to

United States International University, after high school where he studied

Classical music and composition.

Jamie started out as a stand up comedian, he was dared by a girl friend

it was a good thing he took the dare. Jamie changed his name to Jamie

Foxx after he found out that they let the female comedians perform first.

Jamie chose his surname as a tribute to Redd Foxx. Jamie is truly

multitalented; this was the beginning of his television and film career.

Jamie joined the cast of living color in 1991, as Wanda Wayne the

ugliest, horniest gal in the hood. There was a scene when Wanda was on

the Dating Game, she came out in this Blonde wig blue dress she looked a

mess. Jim Carey was the host. When it was time for the bachelors to meet

her, bachelor number one came around the corner slap her five and said

“what’s up man” bachelor number three came around the corner side stepped

her and started hugging the host and laugh hysterically because he was

glad he wasn’t picked. The bachelor she did pick Paul Nelson (played by

Tommy Davidson) came around the corner saw Wanda dove into Jim Carey’s

arm swing his hands and feet toward Wanda. Wanda said “why are you

trippin I’m the catch of the day” Tommy Davidson said “somebody needs to

throw your ugly ass back”. I laughed from the start of the scene to the

end and after or every time I thought about it. Every time Jamie was on

as Wanda you always laughed from the beginning to the end. He had his own

sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001 I use to watch this shows

it was funny but not as funny as his character Wanda. He also had a

recurring role on the sitcom Roc. In 1992 is film debut was Toys and he

was in a dramatic film role in 1999 Any Given Sunday where he played a

football player. Jamie roles got even better he was featured in the film

Collateral alongside Tom Cruise; he received an Academy Award nomination

for Best Supporting Actor. Jamie played the role of Ray Charles which won

him an Academy Award for Best Actor and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a

Leading role. Jamie Foxx is the second male in history to receive two

acting Oscar nominations in the same year for two different movies; Al

Pacino was the first. After this Jamie Foxx was a bankable star in

Hollywood. He played the lead role in the kingdom with Chris Cooper,

Jennifer Garner and Ashraf Barhom. Jamie Foxx star keeps shining on

September 2007 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jamie Foxx is not finished yet, this man can sing. Jamie Foxx’s “Slow

Jamz” featured rapper Twista and Kanye West this song went number one on

Billboard Hot 100 single chart. He didn’t stop there he teamed up with

Kanye on his song Gold Digger Jamie sung the hook “I Got a Woman” this

song went straight to number one on Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there

for 10 weeks. Jamie won a BET Award for Best Duet/Collaboration with

Kayne West. Just about everyone loved this song, except for the Gold

Diggers out there I suppose. I like Jamie Foxx Unpredictable album

especially the song he did with Twista “DJ Play A Love Song”. Jamie Foxx

has teamed up with other artists like Mary J Blige, Ludicrous & Field Mob

and Rascal Flatts. Jamie Foxx has a new album out “Best Night of My

Life”. There are two songs on this album that I like “This Will Be” the

intro and “Living Better Now” because it‘s catchy.

I like Jamie Foxx, because he can make you laugh and he also can be

serious when he need be. I wish he would put out an album with just him on

it singing, so he can show his talent. I hope we will continue seeing and

hearing a lot more from Jamie Foxx. You can hear songs from his “Best

Night of My Life” on Streetwise Radio.

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

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id406392428

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS_2sAGYI-Q

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

TEENA MARIE-(LADY T)

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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

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