Music In Northern Michigan

      If you are looking for music to enjoy, venture to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bergonzi Piano Trio is one of many music ensembles you will see if you attend Pine Mountain Music Festival. This series of performances is held in Houghton, Marquette, and Hancock, Michigan. June 17, 2024, at 10:00 am, Bergonzi Piano Trio will present their Children`s Concert, at Portage Lake United Church, Houghton, MI, and their evening concert at 7:30 pm, at Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, in Houghton. This performance schedule repeats again with their Children`s Concert at 12:00 pm, June 18, 2024, at Peter White Public Library, in Marquette, MI, June 19, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at Marquette`s Reynolds Recital Hall, on campus at Northern Michigan University.

     Upstarts! is another series of musical performances in Michigan`s U.P. This year performing for Upstart! are Darrius Morton (tenor), Grace Bergstrom (tuba), and Marlee Matthews (oboe). These Upstart! performances are June 21, 2024, 7:30 pm, at Ontonagon Theater, Ontonagon, MI, June 23 and 24, 2024, at Portage Lake United Church, in Houghton, and St. Paul`s Episcopal Church in Marquette, MI, respectively.

     The History of Opera in the U.P. will be presented through opera and arias. Put this on your calendar for June 20, 2024, at St. Paul`s Episcopal Church, in Marquette, MI, and June 22, 2024, at Orpheum Theater, in Hancock, MI. Both performances begin at 7:30 pm.

     On The Town Concerts feature free 30 - 45 minute concerts highlighting chamber music. These concerts will be held at Bridgefest, in Houghton/Hancock, and Marquette Art Week. These performances will take place in unique gatherings such as the canal storefront, a selected coffee shop, a park, antique store, or photo gallery. Do a google search for On The Town Concerts for 2024 dates and locations.

Busking

      For 36 years, saxophonist Ken Warfield, aka "The Hollywood Bowl Sax Man" has been busking under Highland Avenue at the Hollywood Bowl, in Hollywood, CA. Busking is the activity of playing music in public spaces, such as parks and sidewalks, or other public places for voluntary donations where musicians can be seen by many people. Great places to busk are closed-down shops, and corners of busy streets. Busking should be timed for no more than one hour.

     In Michigan busking is legal, and permits are not required. However, there are ordinance and rules that must be followed. Money can be made busking, and some have made this a career choice. If you are playing great music, and there is much foot traffic, busking can bring in a good earning. A musician could earn $20.00 to 50.00 per hour, if not more.

     Busking and begging are simular, but these two activities are distinguishable. Busking provides performance and entertainment, which makes busking more favorable for public space. Busking is making money with your musical talents, verses asking people for charity.

     If you are looking at busking to supplement your income, or choosing this as a career path, do your homework. Musicians do make money from busking. However, be aware, there are pros and cons of busking. Ken "The Hollywood Bowl Sax Man" Warfield was physically attacked while busking. However, the pros have outweighed the cons for Mr. Warfield. Again, my advice - Do Your Homework!

Celebrating African American Music Throughout Black History Month

      "Message In Our Music" was released from The O`Jays in 1976. This message rings true from our past music, recordings of today, and music in our future. African American music covers a diverse range of musical styles and genres developed from African American culture.

     When addressing African American music, our discussion will begin with slave songs and spirituals. Slave songs, also called work songs were hardship songs of physical labor. These songs also communicated with other slaves without slave owners knowing or realizing such communication was occurring. Religious music to come from slavery were spirituals. This sacred music provided slaves with an enduring spirit to persevere.

     After the Civil War between northern and southern States, black musicians playing in military bands developed a style of music called ragtime. From ragtime, other forms and styles developed. Ragtime was the popular form of music from 1890 to 1917. Ragtime music influenced other styles of music such as early jazz, Harlem stride piano, and European composers such as Claude Debussy.

     In the 1920s, jazz surpassed ragtime as popular music. Jazz was developed and grew out of brothels and speakeasies, and was highly segregated. Louis Armstrong was most noted of early jazz innovators. Other jazz styles to follow were swing and big band from the 1930s, with artist such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Bebop followed in the 1940s, with musical artist such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

     Hard bop, modal jazz, Latin and Brazilian jazz would come-out of the 1950s and 60s. Avant garde and fusion were introduced in the 1960s and 70s. Jazz from the 1980s to present day continues borrowing from other styles from classical, hip hop, and electronic music.

     Black music is expansive, and covers an array of genres and styles. These genres and styles include, but are not limited to sacred music, folk music, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and hip hop. There is a lot there in the African American music canon.

Jazz In Film

      When discussing jazz in film, what comes to mind? Bird (1988), Mo Better Blues (1990), Kansas City (1995), just to name a few. The film I think of is not a jazz film at all. The films I have mentioned are all great films about jazz, and there are others. However, I am speaking of films where jazz in not the focus, but jazz can or may be heard in the film. That film is Street Smart (1987).

     Street Smart is a crime drama that stars the late Christopher Reeve and Morgan Freeman. I enjoy this film, and I particularly love the end credit music. In this film Christopher Reeve takes on the role as Jonathan Fisher, a reporter for a media organization. Jonathan Fisher was given an assignment to cover prostitution, but fails to provide needed information from his sources. He decides to construct his own narrative on this subject. The story Jonathan Fisher fabricated revives his journalist career. However, his story catches the attention of Fast Black (Morgan Freeman); a real pimp. Fast Black is outraged, but makes demands on Jonathan Fisher to be his alibi during a murder investigation of Fast Black. When legal officials get involved, things go from bad to worse.

     Readers of this blog, please let us know and share your favorite jazz music in a film. Please post your comments to this blog. Also, when you get a chance, check out Street Smart, and listen to the end credit music.

Saxophonist Richard Howell

      Before starting this blog I cannot say I was a fan of Richard Howell; I never heard of him! However, I have started learning about him in preparing this blog. In researching Richard Howell, I have developed an appreciation of him. Life provides opportunities to learn and grow.

     Born in 1953, Richard Howell is a saxophonist from San Francisco, CA. Richard Howell has performed with artist such as Etta James, Chaka Khan, Maurice White, Christian Scott a Tunde Adjuah, Ray Charles, B.B. King, and others. In addition to being a great musician, Richard Howell is also a renowned composer and educator.

     Earth, Wind, & Fire`s Maurice White has been quoted as saying, he has the deepest respect for his musical abilities. White goes on to say Richard Howell walks the same path as Don Myrick and Joe Henderson. Wow! that`s profound; both are great saxophonist.

     In addition to playing saxophone, Richard Howell is a lecturer of jazz history with Jazz Tree Education Internationally. He is also involved with jazz education at Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Richard Howell also leads two jazz ensembles; RH Quartet, and Richard Howell and Sudden Changes.

     If you`re in the San Francisco Bay area, you are blessed to have saxophonist Richard Howell in your presence. I hope to someday have an opportunity to experience what his fans from around the world have enjoyed, and that is seeing and hearing saxophonist Richard Howell. 

African American Jazz Caucus

      Jazz is all over the world. Nearly or every nationality performs jazz. However, let us not loss sight of where and whom jazz originates, and cultural heritage.

     The origins of jazz is rooted in the African-American community, starting in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the first commercial place for jazz in the late 19th century. Jazz is firmly established over time in blues and ragtime music.

     African American Jazz Caucus Inc. has as their mission to preserve the cultural heritage and legacy of jazz. African American Jazz Caucus goal is to connect music students, and developing musicians with musicians specializing in music areas as performance, composition, publication, education, music business, and arts administration. The African American Jazz Caucus strives to promote a rich cultural heritage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominately Black Institutions. This is accomplished through their partnership with the Jazz Education Network. Each year African American Jazz Caucus selects a musical group from either a HBCU or PBI, and features that ensemble at the JEN conference held in January, at a selected city and location. 

     African American Jazz Caucus is dedicated to protecting and preserving jazz`s cultural heritage and legacy as an indigenous art form rooted from Africa. When you get the opportunity, check-out African American Jazz Caucus, and see what programs they offer as they fulfill their mission to preserve the cultural heritage and legacy of jazz.

Hazel Scott

      In writing this blog Hazel Scott is a new discovery for me. Sure, I have heard of Hazel Scott, but preparing this blog has given me more of an appreciation of Hazel Scott, and her contribution to jazz and music. Jazz pianist and vocalist Hazel Scott has hosted her own TV show, and stood against the House Un-American Activities Committee. As a performer, Hazel Scott is known for her jazzy interpretation of classical music.

     Born June 11, 1920, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Hazel Dorothy Scott was given birth to R. Thomas Scott and Alma Long Scott. who was a classically trained musician who played piano and saxophone. Alma Long Scott developed friendships with Art Tatum, Lester Young, and Fats Waller. These connections made it possible for Hazel Scott to audition to Juilliard when she was eight years old, playing "Prelude in C-Sharp Minor", by Rachmaninoff. Hazel Scott received a scholarship and studied privately.

     At 15 years of age, Hazel Scott appeared opposite the Count Basie big band at New York City`s Roseland Ballroom, where she won a competition to host a radio show. In 1938, Hazel Scott appeared on Broadway in a musical revue of  "Sing Out the News". In 1939, Hazel Scott had performances in Greenwich Village at Cafe` Society. Cafe` Society was an integrated club where Billie Holiday ended her engagement, and insisted on Hazel Scott as her replacement. Hazel Scott would perform classical music, with improvisation and jazz lines, runs, and stylings in a full-bodied singing voice.

     Eventually, Hazel Scott made her way to Hollywood, only to face a racist structure that wanted Hazel Scott to play roles of singing maids, which she declined. However, Hazel Scott appeared in five films as herself. Her film career ended in 1945. Hazel Scott took a stand against racism, by refusing to perform for segregated audiences, which was stipulated in her contracts.

     Returning to New York City, and soon after her return, Hazel Scott had an affair with politician Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Hazel Scott and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr would marry, and give birth to their son in 1946, Adam Clayton Powell III.

     In 1950, Hazel Scott was the first African-American woman to host her own TV show - The Hazel Scott Show, which aired to a national audience. Unfortunately, Hazel Scott`s TV show came to an end due to the Un-American Activities Committee. Hazel Scott was accused of "performing for organizations with Communist ties". The Hazel Scott Show was cancelled.

     After her ordeal with the House Un-American Activities Committee, Hazel Scott continued on with her life and career. Hazel Scott divorced Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1960. In 1957, Hazel Scott moved to Paris, and became one of many Black expatriates to move there. However, Hazel Scott did return to the United States in 1967, performing for her audience base, as well as making a few recordings. Hazel Scott passed away on October 2, 1981, two month after her last performance.