Sun Ra and his Arkestra then (1992) and now (2022)
When the 2022 Afrofuturism series was announced by Carnegie Hall, I scrolled eagerly through the rather eclectic line-up of the festival. I was hoping it... Read More
Music
Hartmut Geerken’s Sun Ra Archive Finds A Home in Germany
On Halloween 2020, amidst the height and dread of the COVID-19 pandemic, I received a telephone call from Munich, Germany. The caller was Hartmut Geerken.... Read More
Jump for Joy It’s Billy Strayhorn’s Birthday
3 min read
🍾 Billy Strayhorn was born on November 29, 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. He was a composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger celebrated for his unforgettable collaborations with... Read More
Baby, Baby, It’s Berry Gordy’s Birthday
2 min read
🍾Berry Gordy, born November 28, 1929, is best known as the founder of Motown Records. A proud native son of Detroit, Berry (actually Berry III)... Read More
Birthday Greetings Unchained Melodic Heart Etta Jones
🎂Etta Jones, born November 25 in Aiken, South Carolina and raised in Harlem, New York, was a jazz singer. Her understated bluesy soulful sound gave her the ability to... Read More
Birthday Greetings Jimi Are You Experienced Hendrix
🍾James Marshall Hendrix (Aka Jimi Hendrix), born on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington, was an electric guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although he couldn’t read... Read More
Happy Birthday Tina Something Beautiful Turner
🎂Tina Turner (aka Anna Mae Bullock ), born November 26, 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee. She is a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of... Read More
Birthday Greetings Percy Take Time to Know Her Sledge
🍾Percy Tyrone Sledge (aka Percy Sledge), born November 25, 1940 in Leighton, Alabama, was an R&B, soul and gospel singer. He was best known for his... Read More